On the eve of 2-year anniversary of military rule in Myanmar, Canada has imposed new sanctions on the junta government in relation to the 2021 coup. Canada announced the sanctions on January 31, 2023 in response to the ‘human rights and humanitarian situation’ in Myanmar. Let’s examine the key features of these new Canadian sanctions on Myanmar.
The sanctions have been enacted under the Special Economic Measures Act which came into force on December 13, 2007. The act allows the Canadian government to take economic measures in the case of a grave breach of international peace and security, gross and systematic human rights violations, or acts of significant corruption. So far, Canada has 95 individuals and 63 entities listed under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations.
The Canadian government emphasizes that the latest sanctions are announced in conjunction with the UK and the US and aligned with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy obligations.
What do the new sanction measures include?
• A freeze on assets of designated Myanmar nationals connected to the state and prohibition against certain transactions, services, and dealings with their property.
• An arms embargo including restrictions on arms exports and imports, technical data, and financial services related to military activities.
Read also : MYANMAR’S OPIUM ECONOMY, EXPLAINED
Timeline of Canadian sanctions against Myanmar
On December 13, 2007, the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations were implemented in response to the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. The sanctions imposed by Canada included restrictions on exports, imports, financial services, investment, and a trade embargo on arms and related materials.
In 2012, the sanctions were eased following the improvement of the human rights situation in Myanmar but sanctions against certain individuals and entities were maintained.
In 2017, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar led to the appointment of a special envoy, Bob Rae, to outline recommendations for Canadian action. In response to the Rohingya crisis, the Regulations were amended to add individuals to the Schedule in the Regulations.
Following the coup d’état in Myanmar in February 2021, the Regulations were amended to add nine senior military officials to the Schedule.
The Tatmadaw’s brutal repression campaign resulted in the addition of 16 individuals and 10 entities to the Schedule in May 2021.
In December 2021, four further entities were added to the Schedule due to continued violence and intransigence on the part of the regime.
