Admin I Friday, March 26, 2021
WASHINGTON – In less than two weeks, the United States of America has again imposed sanctions on authorities in Burma over continued violence against peaceful protest.This time entities targeted are Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC).
“MEHL and MEC are the two largest military holding companies in Burma… held and managed by current or former Burmese military officers, regiments, and units, and organizations led by former service members”, Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken said in a statement.
According to him, these actions will specifically targeted those who led the coup, the economic interests of the military, and the funding streams supporting the Burmese military’s brutal repression. “They are not directed at the people of Burma”, the statement added.
The US said it is taking this step alongside the United Kingdom, which is announcing a similar action on MEHL today. The UK has been a close partner in US response to the coup.
“By designating these entities, the United States and the UK have shown that we will follow through on our pledges to promote accountability for the coup and the abhorrent violence and other abuses we have seen in recent weeks.
“ In close collaboration with the UK, Canada, and other allies and partners, we continue to call on the military to cease all violence against the people of Burma, release all detainees and halt future arrests, lift martial law and the nationwide state of emergency, remove telecommunications restrictions, and restore the democratically elected government”, Blinken said.
He added that the United States will continue to work with partners throughout the region and the world to press the Burmese military and police to cease all violence against peaceful protestors, to support the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Burma, and to urge for the immediate release of political prisoners.
