U.S., UK, and Canada Unite to Impose Tougher Sanctions on Myanmar Military Regime

On October 31, 2023, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada jointly imposed additional sanctions on Myanmar (Burma). These sanctions target individuals and entities associated with Myanmar’s military regime and include a U.S. prohibition on providing financial services to Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (“MOGE”). The goal is to prevent the Burmese military from accessing arms and other supplies and to coordinate sanctions measures on Myanmar among the U.S., EU, UK, and Canada.

U.S. Financial Services Restrictions and Designations:

• The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Directive 1 under Executive Order 14024, which prohibits U.S. persons from providing financial services to MOGE.
• OFAC clarified that the 50 Percent Rule applies to Directive 1, extending the prohibitions to entities in which MOGE owns 50 percent or more.
• OFAC also designated three entities and five officials linked to the Burmese military and government under Executive Order 14014.

UK Designations:

• The UK imposed asset freezes and travel bans on five individuals and one entity involved in providing financial services to Myanmar’s regime or supplying restricted goods, such as aircraft parts.
• The designated individuals and entity are: Myo Thitsar, Htoo Htet Tay Za, Pye Phyo Tay Za, Kyaw Min Oo, Sit Taing Aung, and International Group of Entrepreneur Services Company Limited (IGE).
• These measures complement the UK’s existing sanctions regime for Myanmar, which has already designated numerous individuals and entities.

Canadian Designations:

• Canada amended its Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, listing 39 individuals and 22 entities and expanding its prohibition on aviation fuel.
• The individuals and entities listed under the new amendments are involved in key functions for the military regime, supplying weapons, resources, and revenue, and contributing to democratic reversals in Myanmar.
• These amendments align with United Nations Security Council resolution 2669 and support international efforts to address the situation in Myanmar.

Overall, these sanctions involve asset freezes and prohibitions on certain dealings with the listed individuals and entities, strengthening the measures taken against Myanmar.