The United Kingdom has issued a new wave of sanctions on Myanmar firms with ties to the military. The sanctioned parties consist of Star Sapphire Group of Companies, International Gateways Group of Companies Limited (IGG), and Sky One Construction Company Ltd. They are sanctioned to restrict the military’s access to weapons and income.
Minister for Asia Amanda Milling has also announced the United Kingdom’s decision to intervene in the International Court of Justice case The Gambia v. Myanmar. The case will examine whether Myanmar breached its responsibilities under the Genocide Convention with regard to the military’s actions against Rohingya in 2016 and 2017.
On August 25, 2017, the Myanmar Armed Forces started a catastrophic onslaught against the Rohingya community residing in Rakhine State, Myanmar. According to a study by the UN Fact Finding Mission, approximately 10,000 Rohingya were murdered and 740,000 were displaced into neighbouring Bangladesh.
According to the study, the Myanmar Armed Forces also participated in a campaign of sexual abuse, severe breaches against minors, torture, and the burning of villages. These are the characteristics of a military operating with impunity, and the United Kingdom expresses deep concern that Myanmar’s military is utilising these techniques in its present operations against pro-democracy organisations.
The United Kingdom has said unequivocally that what occurred to the Rohingya constituted ethnic cleansing, and it is committed to taking measures to end the Myanmar Armed Forces’ cruelty and hold them accountable.
Minister for Asia Amanda Milling said:
“The UK will always face down those who seek to undermine and destroy our values of freedom and democracy. Five years on, we continue to stand in solidarity with the Rohingya people and condemn the Myanmar Armed Forces’ horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing.
“Our decision to intervene in The Gambia v. Myanmar case and a further round of sanctions sends a strong signal of our continued support to seek accountability for the atrocities in 2017 and also restrict the military junta’s access to finance and the supply of arms.”
The violence in 2017 was the outcome of generations-long efforts to eradicate the Rohingya identity. The remaining 600,000 Rohingya in Rakhine State have been robbed of their citizenship and are subject to systematic discrimination that restricts their mobility and access to healthcare. The United Kingdom reiterates its demand for the repeal of the Citizenship Law of 1982 and the restoration of Rohingya citizenship.
Since 2017, the United Kingdom has donated £330 million in help to the refugee camps to meet their food, housing, sanitation, education, medical, and protection requirements.