Australia Issues Further Sanctions on Businesses, Banks Linked to Burma Junta

‘We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to press the regime for the cessation of violence,’ Penny Wong said.

A protester holds a sign with an iamge of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they prepare to face off against security forces during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on March 5, 2021. STR/AFP via Getty Images

Australia has imposed additional sanctions on five entities linked to Burma’s military junta in an effort to protect civilians from further atrocities.

The announcement by Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Feb. 1 marks the third anniversary of the military coup in Burma (also known as Myanmar).

Two banks and three businesses will be subject to the sanctions—Myanma Foreign Trade Bank and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank, and entities that supply jet fuel to the military junta, Asia Sun Group, Asia Sun Trading Co Ltd, and Cargo Link Petroleum Logistics Co Ltd.

The sanctions will limit access to funds and materials that enable the Burmese military regime to continue to commit atrocities against its own people.

“These sanctions are a response to the regime’s ongoing repression of the people of Myanmar, escalating violence, and the continuing deterioration of the political, humanitarian, and security situation,” Ms. Wong said in a press release.

“They send a clear message of Australia’s deep concern for the regime’s ongoing actions and its continued disregard for international efforts, particularly those of ASEAN, to seek a resolution to the crisis.

“We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to press the regime for the cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, unimpeded humanitarian access, and a return to the path of democracy.”

Australia has also called on the Burmese junta to implement the Five-Point Consensus and to engage “meaningfully and positively” with ASEAN representatives.

The Five-Point Consensus (pdf) agreed by the nine ASEAN leaders and Burmese junta chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in April 2021 called for: an immediate end to violence in the country; dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; humanitarian assistance by ASEAN; and the special envoy’s visit to Burma to meet with all parties.

However, none of the points have been met by the Burmese military regime.

“Australia will continue to closely monitor the regime’s actions and look for improvements on the ground,” Ms. Wong said.

“Critically, we remain resolute in our support for the people of Myanmar. They have demonstrated their courage and commitment to democracy with determined resilience in the face of unspeakable atrocities.”

In November 2022, an Australian economic advisor to former Burmese leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi, Professor Sean Turnell, was released after spending 650 days in prison for allegedly “violating the country’s official state secrets act.”

9 Countries Issue Joint Statement

Australia, along with the European Union, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States, have issued a joint statement condemning the actions of the Burmese military junta and called the restoration of democracy to the country.

On Feb. 1, 2021, Burma’s military junta overthrew the democratically elected government.

“Under the military regime, violence against civilians has escalated, with thousands jailed, tortured, and killed,” the joint statement said.

“Systematic discrimination against members of religious and ethnic groups, including Rohingya, is rife. Many are displaced and continue to face horrific conditions, and others have been forced to flee across Myanmar’s borders. The military’s actions have fuelled a growing humanitarian crisis, with 2.6 million people displaced from their homes and more than 18 million people in need.”

The countries have urged the junta’s commander-in-chief and the military to “change course,” cease violence against citizens, release political prisoners, allow full humanitarian access, and have an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders.

The countries have also called on other countries to cease providing the junta military with weapons and equipment necessary for them to commit atrocities.

Beijing is known to wield enormous influence in Burma and has long been allied with the country’s military.

“Three years on from the military coup, we continue to stand in solidarity with the Myanmar people and their desire for an inclusive and genuine democracy in Myanmar,” the joint statement read.