Call for international action against economic interests of Myanmar military
It is high time international action be taken against the Myanmar military, with targeted sanctions against military-owned and controlled companies, said a London-based organisation defending Burmese people’s human rights and religious freedom.
Founder and director of Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) Kyaw Win said the international community should act fast and impose these "targeted sanctions" following the military coup in Myanmar recently.
"Asean countries also need to do this (targeted sanctions against the economic interests of Myanmar's military)...
It is high time international action be taken against the Myanmar military, with targeted sanctions against military-owned and controlled companies, said a London-based organisation defending Burmese people’s human rights and religious freedom.
Founder and director of Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) Kyaw Win said the international community should act fast and impose these "targeted sanctions" following the military coup in Myanmar recently.
"Asean countries also need to do this (targeted sanctions against the economic interests of Myanmar's military).
"This is crucial as there is a very high expectation from the people of Burma whether there is any reaction coming up from international community and Asean regarding the issue of (military coup)," he said when interviewed in the mid-day review programme of Bernama TV, live from London, today.
Myanmar's military launched a coup Monday morning last week and detained State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The military announced a one-year state of emergency in the country, vowing to "take action" against alleged voter fraud during the Nov 8, 2020, general election, which the NLD won.
Commenting further, Kyaw Win said it is crucial for Asean leaders to stand together with the people of Myanmar during these trying times and fight against the military dictatorship.
He praised Malaysia and Indonesia's efforts in calling for a regional meeting to discuss the military coup in Myanmar.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was reported to have said that Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta viewed with serious concern the political situation in Myanmar as it was a setback for the country’s democratic process.
"In this regard, I fully agree with the suggestion that both foreign ministers be given the mandate to work out an understanding for a special Asean meeting to be held to discuss this matter more thoroughly,” said Muhyiddin in a news conference held together with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, last Friday.
Kyaw Win said BHRN is also concerned over the safety and security of human rights defenders, journalists and activists in Myanmar.
- Bernama
