With the EU now set to prepare sanctions on Myanmar — more specifically, on key figures in its armed forces — a significant portion of the international community will, hopefully, take a definitive step in the right direction. As Amnesty International has said, the international community’s inaction, so far, serves to “undermine the rights of millions.”The EU’s decision, of course, which comes in addition to US sanctions placed last December, is a good first step towards greater action being taken against Myanmar. However, let us consider Myanmar’s behaviour merely over the past six months: For one, it has carried out what is essentially an ethnic cleansing against their Rohingya minority. And, despite promises to begin repatriation in two weeks, there are still Rohingya coming in through various points on the border. To that end, placing sanctions on a few generals to bring up a list of army personnel responsible is hardly sufficient, considering that the entire Myanmar government is complicit in the Rohingya people’s continued oppression.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 23, 2018 19:52 UTC