European Commission imposes sanctions on Myanmar’s military junta

In the latest international efforts to support the Burmese people’s struggle for democracy, the European Commission (EC) reportedly imposed sanctions on military-owned companies in Myanmar operating in the timber industry. 

BWI and EFBWW said that the EC took action after they sent a letter to Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, expressing concerns that Myanmar’s timber trade provides significant financial support to the military junta. They said that the EC withheld all European development assistance to the Burmese government's reform programs.  All activities that could be seen to legitimise the military coup have also been put on hold by the EC. 

BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson and EFBWW General Secretary Tom Deleu welcomed EC’s sanctions even as they asserted that more actions are needed to support the Burmese people’s struggle for democracy and stop the military junta’s violence. 

Read BWI and EFBWW's joint statement here.