Further Sanctions on the Myanmar Military Regime

01 February 2024

SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

 

The Australian Government has today imposed additional targeted sanctions on five entities with direct links to the Myanmar military regime.

These sanctions are designed to limit the regime’s access to the funds and material that enable it to continue to commit atrocities against its own people.

Two banks that enable the regime’s activities, Myanma Foreign Trade Bank and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank, will be subject to targeted financial sanctions.

Three entities that supply jet fuel to the Myanmar military, Asia Sun Group, Asia Sun Trading Co Ltd, and Cargo Link Petroleum Logistics Co Ltd, will also be subject to targeted financial sanctions.

These sanctions are a response to the regime’s ongoing repression of the people of Myanmar, escalating violence, and the continuing deterioration of the political, humanitarian and security situation.

They send a clear message of Australia’s deep concern for the regime’s ongoing actions, and its continued disregard for international efforts, particularly those of ASEAN, to seek a resolution to the crisis.

Australia will continue to closely monitor the regime’s actions and look for improvements on the ground. We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to press the regime for the cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, unimpeded humanitarian access, and a return to the path of democracy.

In this context, we will continue to keep our targeted sanctions toward Myanmar under review.

We maintain our strong support for ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, including the constructive efforts of the ASEAN Chairs and Special Envoys. We call on the military regime to implement the Five-Point Consensus and engage meaningfully and positively with ASEAN representatives.

Critically, we remain resolute in our support for the people of Myanmar. They have demonstrated their courage and commitment to democracy, with determined resilience in the face of unspeakable atrocities. We will continue to ensure our humanitarian and development assistance reaches the most vulnerable.

For further information on Australia’s sanctions settings, please visit: Sanctions regimes | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au).

Media Contact:
Foreign Minister's Office: +61 2 6277 7500

Authorised by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia.