US sanctions 22_ including Myanmar ministers_ for military coup
The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on 22 individuals including four Myanmar government ministers in response to the February military coup and attacks against the country s pro-democracy movement.
In a two-pronged action_ the Treasury and Commerce Departments announced on Friday the punishments as part of Washington s continued response to the overthrow of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi s elected government in February.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the new sanctions were levied in response to the brutal campaign of violence perpetrated by the Burmese military regime and to continue imposing costs in connection with the military coup.
The sanctions do not target the Myanmar people_ but are aimed at pressuring the military to immediately restore Burma s (Myanmar s) path to democracy_ Blinken said.
The sanctions target Myanmar s minister of information Chit Naing_ minister for investment Aung Naing Oo_ labour and immigration minister Myint Kyaing_ and Thet Thet Khine_ the minister for social welfare_ relief and resettlement.
Three members of the powerful State Administrative Council were also hit with sanctions_ as were 15 spouses and adult children of officials_ in an expansion of US punishments imposed in February_ March and May following the coup.
Under the sanctions_ all US property in the name of the individuals are blocked_ and Americans or people in the US are prohibited from conducting property or interest transactions with them.
Andrea Gacki_ director of Treasury s Office of Foreign Assets Control_ said in a statement the action demonstrates Washington will continue to impose increasing costs on Burma s military and promote accountability for those responsible for the military coup and ongoing violence .
The US and other western countries have already imposed several sanctions against individuals in Myanmar since the coup.
The Department of Commerce meanwhile slapped sanctions on four business entities: King Royal Technologies Co_ which provides satellite communications services supporting the military; and Wanbao Mining and its two subsidiaries_ which have revenue-sharing agreements with a company that helps fund the country s defence ministry.
The actions come as Myanmar rejected new figures released by the United Nations_ which said there were reports from within the country that security forces have killed at least 883 unarmed people_ including at least 40 who are believed to have died in custody.
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