Canada announces new sanctions regarding Burma

Inter Pares welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of new sanctions related to Burma.

Yesterday, Canada, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, announced new sanctions against individuals and entities whose support props up the illegitimate military regime in Burma. 

We are particularly supportive of Canada’s decision to include the State Administration Council in this round of sanctions. With our partners in Burma, we have been calling for Canada to reject the council since its establishment after the military coup in February 2021. The state-owned Mining Enterprises 1 and 2 are also welcome additions to the list of sanctioned entities, as major sources of income for the military.

We encourage Canada to continue coordinating sanctions with other countries.

What’s missing from the sanctions?

The state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) is the largest source of income for the military, allowing it to perpetuate violent attacks on civilians and other human rights atrocities. We urge Canada to impose sanctions against MOGE, including blocking direct and indirect oil and gas purchases that support the military regime.

Background

Since the military overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021, the regime has waged violence and terror on the people of Burma. 

In the wake of the coup, the State Administration Council formed: an unelected group of mostly military personnel that took on the role of the country’s highest governing body. This junta has since killed thousands of civilians and arbitrarily detained thousands more, targeted towns and villages (particularly Indigenous communities) with air assaults, killed journalists and driven millions of people from their homes.

For 30 years, Inter Pares has worked with local organizations toward a democratic future for Burma. Today, our more than 40 local counterparts work in diverse sectors – from media to medicine – toward a future federal democracy. We are committed to supporting and amplifying their efforts. 

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