Four Myanmar military leaders who were in command during the Rohingya genocidal campaign in 2017 were imposed sanctions by the United States. Till now it is the toughest action taken by Washington for the atrocity crimes and human rights abuses against the Rohingya and other minorities.
Min Aung Hlaing, the Myanmar military chief in command is on the top list of the sanction. The U.S Treasury Department said in a statement that, Burmese military forces had committed “serious human rights abuse” under Min Aung Hlaing’s command.
“During this time, members of ethnic minority groups were killed or injured by gunshot, often while fleeing, or by soldiers using large-bladed weapons; others were burned to death in their own houses,” the statement said.
Although, Myanmar denied accusations of widespread abuses and said the military’s actions were part of a fight against terrorism. At present, Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi went to The Hague to defend her country.
The following is the press release of the US Department of Treasury:
PRESS RELEASES
Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Roles in Atrocities and Other Abuses
December 10, 2019
Global Magnitsky designations target serious human rights abuse worldwide on International Human Rights Day
Washington – Today, on International Human Rights Day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken action against 18 individuals located in Burma, Pakistan, Libya, Slovakia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and South Sudan for their roles in serious human rights abuse. Additionally, six entities have been designated for being owned or controlled by one of the aforementioned individuals. OFAC designated these individuals and entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption.
“The United States will not tolerate torture, kidnapping, sexual violence, murder, or brutality against innocent civilians,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “America is the world leader in combatting human rights abuse and we will hold perpetrators and enablers accountable wherever they operate.”
“Treasury’s action focuses on those who have killed, or ordered the killing of innocents who stood up for human rights including journalists, opposition members, and lawyers,” said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich.
SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN BURMA
Today’s action supports U.S. efforts to support Burma’s democratic transition, civilian-led economic reform, and civilian control of the military.
Elements of the Burmese military have committed serious human rights abuse against members of ethnic minority groups across Burma, including those in the northern Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States, among others. Such abuses and the continuing impunity must stop for Burma to transition to a more secure, stable, democratic, peaceful and prosperous nation. Burma’s military must address the climate of impunity and cease abuses and violations of universally accepted human rights. The United States prioritizes the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights as a key part of our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, recognizing them as integral to U.S. foreign policy and national security interests and in line with U.S. values. Such human rights abuse undermines the ability to realize the vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific that we share with ASEAN and other Indo-Pacific partners.
MIN AUNG HLAING
Min Aung Hlaing is designated for his role as the Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military forces, an entity that has engaged in or whose members have engaged in serious human rights abuse under his command. Min Aung Hlaing’s military forces were responsible for the brutal security operation that began in August 2017 in Rakhine State and ultimately caused more than 500,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. During this time, members of ethnic minority groups were killed or injured by gunshot, often while fleeing, or by soldiers using large-bladed weapons; others were burned to death in their own houses. There are credible claims of mass-scale rape and other forms of sexual violence committed by soldiers under Min Aung Hlaing’s command.
SOE WIN
Soe Win is designated for his role as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military forces, an entity that has engaged in or whose members have engaged in serious human rights abuse during his tenure. Soe Win has been heavily involved in directing major operations that occurred in 2017, including the decision to deploy combat divisions to Rakhine State and other regions where serious human rights abuses occurred. Burmese military units responsible for some of the most serious violence, including many instances of sexual violence, reported directly to Soe Win.
THAN OO
Than Oo is designated for being a leader of the 99th Light Infantry Division (LID), an entity that has engaged in or whose members have engaged in serious human rights abuse under his command. In 2017, the 99th LID deployed to Rakhine State and, while there, participated in serious human rights abuses alongside the 33rd LID and other security forces. In one operation in Tula Toli, hundreds of men, women, and children were reportedly forced to the nearby riverbank where the 99th LID opened fire, executing many of the men, and forced women and girls to nearby houses where they were sexually assaulted. A number of these women and children were later stabbed and beaten, with the houses set fire while they were inside. The 99th LID was designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 on August 17, 2018, for engaging in serious human rights abuse.
AUNG AUNG
Aung Aung is designated for being a leader of the 33rd LID, an entity that has engaged in or whose members have engaged in serious human rights abuse under his command. The 33rd LID participated in abuses in Rakhine State, including the August 27, 2017 operation in Chut Pyin village. This operation included extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and sexual violence, as well as firing on fleeing villagers. More than 100 people were reportedly killed in this one operation alone. The 33rd LID was designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 on August 17, 2018, for engaging in serious human rights abuse.
