February 22nd, 2022
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have welcomed the EU’s new sanction against the persons and entities including the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) which is the source of income for the military council.
Justice for Myanmar today issues a statement welcoming the EU’s sanctions imposed on the state-owned MOGE, No. 1 Mining Enterprise, 22 members of the Myanmar military junta and crony conglomerates International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE) owned by Moe Aung, Nay Aung and Pyi Aung who are the sons of Aung Thaung and Htoo Group of Companies owned by Tay Za.
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “We welcome this new round of EU sanctions. The designation of the MOGE is a historic win for grassroots activism throughout Myanmar and around the world, after over a year of campaigning to stop oil and gas revenue flowing to the terrorist military junta.”
“EU sanctions send a strong signal that the Myanmar junta cannot continue business as usual, but it is not enough. Other governments including the US and Japan must now follow with sanctions on the MOGE, other military controlled businesses and their significant associates.
This sanction comes while international activists point out that the military earns hundreds of millions of dollars from the natural gas business every year.
Twenty-two persons who are included on the sanction list are: Minister Aung Naing Oo, Minister Charlie Than, Minister Thet Thet Khine and Minister Maung Maung Ohn, terrorist military council member Shwe Kyein, Union Election Commission (UEC) members Aung Moe Myint, Than Tun, Aung Lwin Oo, Aung Saw Win, Than Win, Saw Ba Hline, Soe Oo, Than Oo, Bran Shaung, Myint Oo, Khin Maung Oo, Nu Mya Zan, Myint Thein and Ba Maung, Commander of the Bureau of Special Operations No. 1 Tayza Kyaw, Commander Nay Lin Aung and Commander of the Bureau of Special Operations No. 2 Aung Zaw Aye.
Naw Wah Khu Shee, the spokesperson of the Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) which is monitoring the local peace, told the KIC, “We welcome the EU’s new round of sanctions. We have been calling on the international community to impose sanctions on the oil and gas enterprises. I am very happy to hear that. These businesses are the big sources of income for the junta’s terrorist acts against the civilians.”
In addition, the sanction will be in effect only when the EU member countries follow it. So, the EU countries are required to abide by it, she added.
The move comes after TotalEnergies, Chevron, Petronas, Mitsubishi Corporation and Woodside have announced plans to exit from their investments in Myanmar.
Some people welcome the withdrawal of the companies which respect and follow the international norms and human rights while some others are concerned about the substitution of these companies with the companies with low standards and poor human rights records.
Sent by the KIC.
