New EU Burma Sanctions - Why Did They Bother?

The Burma Campaign UK today slammed new EU sanctions against Burma as totally ineffective. The EU today announced that following a crackdown on the democracy movement in Burma, it would bring forward sanctions originally planned for October. These measures include extending the number of people subject to a visa ban, and freezing the assets of the regime’s cronies.

“EU foreign ministers may as well have stayed in bed for all the difference this will make,” said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “In effect their response to the crackdown is to stop a few of the regime’s cronies holidaying in the EU. They are literally letting the regime get away with murder.”

The Burma Campaign UK is demanding the EU explain what impact they think the new measures will have. The EU has traditionally taken a much softer line on the dictatorship compared to the US, which already has a ban on new investment and will soon implement a ban on the import of Burmese goods.

“We believe that the UK would like to take tougher action against Burma’s dictatorship, but is being held back by its EU partners, particularly Germany,” said John Jackson. “We believe that Britain should now push for action at the UN Security Council.”

The Burma Campaign UK is calling for the UN to implement a ban on arms and new investment to Burma, and a ban on Burmese exports of oil, gas, gems, garments and timber. These sectors provide the regime with the majority of its income.

For more information contact John Jackson, Director of Burma Campaign UK,or Mark Farmaner, Media Officer, on 020 7281 7377

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