Written question asked by Baroness Cox (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 14 December 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 December 2021. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 December 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Myanmar: Sanctions

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with (1) the government of the (a) United States, and (b) Canada, and (2) the EU, to secure Magnitsky sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Myanmar.

Answer: The UK has been at the forefront of the international sanctions response. Since 1 February, the UK has worked in partnership with the US, Canada and the EU, to impose sanctions on the junta. Immediately after the coup the UK used both the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime and the Myanmar geographic regime to quickly impose sanctions. The UK laid new sanctions regulations in April to allow us to better target the military's interests. We have sanctioned the junta's ruling body and its military leadership; as well as key revenue streams for the military, including three State Owned Enterprises, a high profile business associate, the two largest military conglomerates, and defence entities which arm and equip the military. These sanctions send a strong political message in opposition to the coup and undermine the credibility of the junta. They also target the military's funding streams and show solidarity with the domestic boycott movement.

Secondary information