In light of the continuing systematic targeted airstrikes on civilians by jets and helicopter gunships, and Amnesty International’s damning exposé Deadly Cargo: Exposing the Supply Chain that Fuels War Crimes in Myanmar, MCN calls on the Australian Government and international community to issue sanctions on aviation fuel, and targeted sanctions on the junta and its businesses.
Myanmar military attacks have seen significant civilian casualties and have caused large scale displacement and a growing humanitarian crisis. Recently, on 23 October 2022, the Myanmar military launched air strikes on a musical performance in Kachin State killing 80 people and injuring 100 people with the military preventing the injured from accessing hospital care. On 16 September 2022, 12 people are reported to have been killed and 7 are children when military attack helicopters fired on a school in Let Yet Kone village, in central Sagaing Region.
In its report Amnesty International urges the suppliers, vessel owners, shipping agents and financial institutions involved in the supply chain to immediately suspend the direct and indirect supply, sale and transfer, including transit, transhipment and brokering of aviation fuel to Myanmar. These companies are implicated in war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations.
Tasneem Roc, Campaign Manager for Myanmar Campaign Network said, “Strong statements will not save lives, sanctions will save lives.”
Naw Wahku Shee from Karen Peace Support Network says “The drones come everyday and night, then the airstrikes come. People are in constant fear. These war crimes are an escalation of ongoing assaults on ethnic nationalities over decades.”
Myanmar does not produce jets, helicopters, heavy artillery, tanks, armored vehicles or aviation fuel.
Targeted sanctions on Myanmar military businesses will cut the flow of foreign revenue the Myanmar junta relies on to purchase arms. MCN calls on the Australian Government to immediately join our democratic allies the US, UK, Canada and EU in issuing targeted sanctions on those responsible for the continuing atrocity crimes, and to issue sanctions on aviation fuel.
Media Contacts:
Myanmar Campaign Network
Tasneem Roc
+61 2 8203 6044
Karen Peace Support Network
Naw Wahku Shee: +66 861 182 261
The Myanmar Campaign Network (MCN) is an Australian national coalition formed following the 2021 coup in Myanmar, comprising human rights organisations, international aid NGOs, Myanmar diaspora organisations, trade unions and faith-based organisations. This project is under the auspices of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.
