Date: 25 June 2018
ERC is disappointed in EU’s soft and ineffective sanction on Myanmar
The European Rohingya Council (ERC) is very disappointed in soft and ineffective sanction of the European Union (EU) on Myanmar for its international crimes – crimes against humanity and genocide – against Rohingya. On 25 June, the EU published a list of seven sanctioned Myanmar military and police officers. The sanctions include travel ban and an asset freeze.
EU’s Federica Mogherini said the sanctions are aimed at preserving and protecting overall democratic process. Dr. Hla Kyaw, chairman of ERC, said, “It is very disappointing and unbelievable how EU officials believe that this kind of soft and ineffective sanction against the low ranking officers serves the accountability of international crimes. The officers in the list were just obeying the command of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is the main culprit of the international crimes, and who must be brought into justice. This kind of sanction neither protects and preserves overall democratic process nor prevents the military from committing such international crimes because the Commander in Chief has many military officers in reserve for sending to the killing field.”
The total trade between Myanmar and EU is €2.09 billion in 2017, in which year, Myanmar forcefully expelled at least 700 000 Rohingya into Bangladesh, and raped, killed and burned thousands of members of Rohingya ethnic community of Myanmar. Dr. Kyaw further said, “EU must uphold international norms, and stop facilitating EU investors in billion dollar investment in Myanmar.”
Therefore, ERC urges EU to review all of the policies towards Myanmar, and come up with a very effective measure so that Myanmar military leaders face international justice for their international crimes against Rohingya. ERC also urges EU to facilitate Rohingya’s return to and living in their ancestral homeland in Myanmar under international protection.
For more information:
Dr. Hla Kyaw
Chairman, chairman@theerc.eu; +31652358202
The European Rohingya Council
