UN Fact-Finding Mission Urges Sanctions on Military Enterprises<\/p>\n
Assistant Researcher, Asia Division<\/p>\n
The United Nations-mandated Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar\u00a0released a new report<\/a>\u00a0earlier today detailing the Myanmar military\u2019s longstanding but opaque web of control over the country\u2019s economy. The\u00a0mission urged<\/a>\u00a0the international community to take immediate steps to financially isolate the military.<\/p>\n The 111-page report arrives a year after the Fact-Finding Mission\u2019s\u00a0extensive documentation<\/a>\u00a0of the security forces\u2019 atrocity crimes, which called for top generals to be investigated and prosecuted for crimes against humanity and genocide. Yet Myanmar\u2019s security forces continue to commit violations against Rohingya, Kachin, Rakhine, and other ethnic minorities, while the government\u00a0has shown no willingness<\/a>\u00a0to hold perpetrators to account.<\/p>\n The report reveals the structure and network of the main military conglomerates \u2013\u00a0Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC)<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 which together own\u00a0at least 120 businesses<\/a>\u00a0spanning Myanmar\u2019s industries. Led by current and former high-ranking military officials, including Commander-in-Chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the two groups generate vast revenues without effective oversight or regulation, in turn affording the military unrestricted profits and influence to perpetuate an unending cycle of abuse and impunity.<\/p>\n Not only have military commanders evaded justice for their\u00a0widespread\u00a0<\/a>crimes<\/a>, but they have done so while sabotaging the country\u2019s\u00a0economic and democratic growth<\/a>. The military\u2019s power in these spheres needs to be minimized if Myanmar ever hopes to achieve genuine democratic governance, including bringing the armed forces under civilian control.<\/p>\n The report names\u00a014 foreign firms<\/a>\u00a0that have supplied the Myanmar military with arms since 2016, and calls on the UN Security Council to order a comprehensive arms embargo.<\/p>\n The European Union, United States, Canada, and Australia\u00a0have imposed sanctions<\/a>\u00a0on key Myanmar military officials, but greater action is needed to create pressure with real costs. The Fact-Finding Mission\u2019s report offers new evidence that the Security Council and concerned governments should use to launch a campaign of\u00a0coordinated targeted sanctions<\/a>\u00a0on enterprises linked to the Myanmar military,\u00a0starting with MEHL and MEC<\/a>, a long-time call\u00a0from Human Rights Watch<\/a>. Stemming the flow of investment and profits to these companies, and by extension the abusive commanders they support, is crucial for undercutting the military\u2019s rights violations and promoting justice for the victims of\u00a0decades of military abuse<\/a>.<\/p>\n