Britain and the United States have imposed new sanctions on Myanmar’s junta government to increase pressure on the armed forces in the wake of the brutal crackdown on anti-coup protesters.The US Department of the Treasury has imposed business sanctions on Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited.

The ban would result in the confiscation of any property in the United States owned by Myanmar’s military-controlled entities. Besides, no person or entity in the United States may engage in trade or business transactions.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the move was aimed at “disrupting the flow of money” to those who led the military coup in Myanmar, the military’s economic interests and those who supported the military’s brutal repression.

Besides the United States, the United Kingdom is also taking action against Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited. The organization has been accused of human rights abuses and involvement with senior army officers.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said such a ban would “strain the source of money” used in the Myanmar military’s crackdown.

Earlier, the US administration banned several top officials involved in a military coup in Myanmar. Earlier, Myanmar’s army chief Min Aung Hlaing was blacklisted by the United States for human rights abuses. The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed sanctions on 11 Myanmar military-linked individuals and organizations.

Meanwhile, anti-coup protests continue in Myanmar. Protests also took place in cities across the country on Friday. The death toll from anti-junta protests has risen to more than 300 since the February 1 military coup. At least nine more people were added to the list last Thursday.

Source: BBC