EU raises prospect of sanctions against Myanmar, Cambodia and the Maldives

The EU has paved the way for possible sanctions against Myanmar, Cambodia and the Maldives. On 26 February, the EU Council adopted conclusions on the situation in each country, citing concerns and setting out expectations of redress.

As regards Myanmar, the Council condemned the ‘ongoing widespread, systematic grave human rights violations’ committed by military and security forces, including rape and killings, and reiterated its condemnation of attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and other militant groups: ‘The Council suggests an extension of the existing embargo on arms and equipment which can be used for internal repression,’ as well as the ‘imposition of further restrictive measures against senior military officers of the Myanmar armed forces (Tatmadaw) responsible for serious and systematic human rights violations’.

In the Maldives, the Council expressed concern over disregard for democratic rights and the separation of powers. In early February, President Abdullah Yameen refused to comply with a court order releasing imprisoned opposition leaders, including former president Mohammed Nasheed, instead imposing a state of emergency.

The Council urged ‘an immediate end to the state of emergency and the restoration of all constitutionally guaranteed rights.’ It also condemned politically motivated arrests and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners, adding that if the government of the Maldives does not engage with the leaders of the opposition in a ‘genuine dialogue’, targeted measures may be imposed.

In its conclusions on Cambodia, in which human rights abuses by the security forces and politically motivated persecutions by those in power are well documented, the EU urges the Cambodian government ‘to cease using the judiciary as a political tool to harass and intimidate political opponents, civil society, labour rights activists and human rights defenders.’ Again, the Council states that it will consider targeted measures if the situation does not improve.

EU Conclusions on the Maldives can be found here:
ttp://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6420-2018-INIT/en/pdf

EU Conclusions on Cambodia can be found here:
ttp://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6416-2018-INIT/en/pdf

EU Conclusions on Myanmar can be found here:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu//media/32958/st06418-en18.pdf