Pressure group Justice For Myanmar has welcomed the latest round of Canadian sanctions in response to the Myanmar military’s illegal attempted coup, to mark Human Rights Day.
Canada is the first jurisdiction to impose sanctions on Myanmar military jet fuel suppliers, designating Asia Sun Group, a Myanmar conglomerate.
Asia Sun Group is a local partner of the Myanmar military and is involved in procuring, storing and distributing jet fuel. Asia Sun has been found to import aviation fuel and directly deliver it to the Myanmar military.
Asia Sun Group’s role in the Myanmar military’s jet fuel supply chain was detailed in the Amnesty International report, Deadly Cargo, with research supported by Justice For Myanmar.
The illegal junta relies on its air force to wage a war of terror against the people of Myanmar. Recent indiscriminate air strikes have included an attack on a concert in Kachin State, killing more than 80 people and an attack on a school in Sagaing, killing at least 12 people.
Canada also sanctioned key Myanmar military arms brokers, Dynasty International Company Limited and International Gateways Group.
Dynasty International Company Limited has brokered the purchase of arms and related equipment for the Myanmar military from Belarus, Russia and Germany.
International Gateways Group is a key broker of arms for the Myanmar military from China.
Dynasty International and International Gateways Group have also been sanctioned by the US and UK.
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “We welcome Canada’s latest round of sanctions, the first in the world to target the Myanmar military’s aviation fuel supply chain, as the junta carries out repeated aerial attacks that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“This is a win for the Spring Revolution, in which the people of Myanmar have categorically rejected and resisted the terrorist military junta, effectively preventing them from taking control of Myanmar, and for civil society that has campaigned for sanctions on jet fuel.
“However, far more needs to be done to cut the military’s supply of jet fuel and arms.
“We call on the US, UK, EU, Australia, Japan and South Korea to urgently follow Canada and coordinate sanctions against Asia Sun Group and all individuals involved.
“Governments should also immediately sanction Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise (MPE), ban the export of aviation fuel to Myanmar and sanction all arms brokers to stop the junta’s ability to carry out its war of terror against the people of Myanmar.”
