By: Hafizur Rahman
31 July 2025. A senior United Nations human rights expert has strongly criticized the United States for lifting sanctions on individuals and companies accused of supplying weapons to Myanmar’s military junta, warning that the decision could embolden the regime and escalate violence against civilians, including Rohingya communities.
Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, described the move as “a major setback” in global efforts to block the junta’s access to deadly weapons.
“Rolling back sanctions on Myanmar arms dealers and close allies of the junta undermines years of work to reduce the flow of weapons fueling atrocities,” Andrews said in a statement.
Weapons Feeding Atrocities
Andrews’ office noted that the entities delisted by Washington have been directly involved in arms procurement, supplying the junta with aircraft, naval guns, surveillance systems, and technology for armored vehicles and tanks. Some companies were also linked to the supply of raw materials used in local weapons manufacturing.
“These arms supplies have enabled the junta to carry out relentless airstrikes and attacks on civilian areas, displacement camps, villages, schools, hospitals, and even places of worship,” Andrews warned. “Many of these attacks may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
Impact of Sanctions
Data from Andrews’ office indicates that coordinated sanctions by the U.S. and its allies reduced Myanmar’s arms imports by over 30 percent between 2023 and 2024. Sanctions had been a key pressure tool against the junta, which continues to target ethnic minorities and Rohingya civilians.
Trump Administration Rollback
Despite these impacts, the Trump administration has eased restrictions. Although President Donald Trump renewed the executive order authorizing sanctions on Myanmar in February 2025, several companies tied to the junta’s weapons network were quietly removed from the sanctions list by mid-year.
The rollback comes despite U.S. officials acknowledging at a UN Economic and Social Council meeting in June that Myanmar’s military continues to bomb civilian areas, forcibly conscript Rohingya, and obstruct humanitarian aid.
“A Matter of Life and Death”
Calling the decision “dangerous and irresponsible,” Andrews urged Washington to reverse the move and intensify pressure on the junta, particularly by targeting the Myanmar Economic Bank, which finances much of the country’s arms procurement.
“The United States should be intensifying pressure, not relieving it,” Andrews said. “For the people of Myanmar, this is literally a matter of life and death.”
