EU imposes new sanctions on military-ruled Myanmar

Myanmar soldiers on patrol in Rakhine state in 2016. The EU has accused the military regime of grave violations of human rights, including air attacks on schools and hospitals, and using civilians as human shields in military operations [File: AFP]

The European Union has imposed asset freezes and travel bans on 16 individuals and entities in military-ruled Myanmar – including the energy minister, influential businessmen and high-ranking officers – over “grave” violations of human rights inside the country.

Also included in the sanctions list are politicians and administrators in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, who were said to be involved in the executions of four pro-democracy activists in July 2022, and who oversaw massacres, air raids, and used civilians as human shields during military operations in the country’s northern Kachin state.