Campaign group Justice for Myanmar is calling for urgent targeted sanctions after uncovering evidence that companies have been procuring arms worth millions of US dollars as a front for the Myanmar military.
According to Justice for Myanmar, leaked documents and shipping records provide evidence of the involvement of the International Gateways Group of Companies Limited (IGG), Myanmar Consultancy Company Limited and Myanmar New Era Trading Company in procuring arms and equipment for the Myanmar military worth millions in US dollars.
The leaked documents, some of which have been published on the Justice for Myanmar website, reveal a long history of these companies’ procurement activities on behalf of the Myanmar military.
One leaked document shows that a subsidiary of IGG – Gateways Hongkong Company Limited – was awarded at least 12 contracts worth over US$8 million to supply aircraft parts to the Myanmar air force in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
Another leaked document from the Ministry of Defence details five purchases by the same company of components for aircraft and weapons for warships between 2016 and 2017, totalling over US$3.7 million.
Eighteen people – four of whom are family members – have filled the roles of directors and shareholders of these key military-linked companies.
These individuals also operate branches in Singapore. Myanmar arms brokers typically use Singapore to facilitate payments between the Myanmar military and international arms suppliers.
Among them, Dr Naing Htut Aung is a central figure in Myanmar’s arms trade who facilitates air force and navy contracts with suppliers, notably in China.
He is linked to top-level military leaders, including current Commander-in-Chief and war criminal, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar’s National Unity Government listed Dr Naing Htut Aung and IGG in a statement on January 25 for brokering weapons for the terrorist junta.
Another significant company, Myanmar Consultancy Company Limited, has supplied parts to the Myanmar military after the attempted coup, according to records from the shipping database, ImportGenius.
Further sanctions needed
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung said: “February 1 marked one year since the Myanmar military launched its bloody coup attempt. Over the past year, Myanmar’s military has killed over 1,500 unarmed civilians and arrested over 11,000 more.”
“The junta is continuing its terror campaign with indiscriminate airstrikes, shelling, forced displacement and rape.
“More than 400,000 civilians have forcibly displaced since the military’s coup attempt, according to UNHCR.
“The junta has been destroying and blocking humanitarian emergency aid to vulnerable populations and attacking medical and aid workers.
“These crimes are enabled by the continued supply of arms from companies like International Gateways Group and Myanmar Consultancy Company.
“Justice For Myanmar calls on governments around the world to urgently place targeted sanctions on the companies and individuals who are providing arms to the military, and are thereby complicit in the continued attacks on the people of Myanmar.
“There must be an immediate global arms embargo to stop the flow of arms to the terrorist junta.
“Singapore continues to allow known arms traders to use its territory to aid and abet the Myanmar military’s atrocities. Singapore must end its role as a hub for Myanmar military procurement.”
