On March 7, Australia finally announced it was suspending its defence co-operation with Myanmar, but so far it has not announced any targeted sanctions.
The Australian government fears that if Myanmar is pushed too hard by Western governments it will fall into China’s orbit. But this is overly simplistic. Myanmar’s fear of reliance on China for investments and foreign currency was an important part of what ultimately led the generals to open up the country a decade ago. China funds substantial weaponry to ethnic armed groups that have been at war with Myanmar’s military for decades, and keeps the China-Myanmar border open to allow some of those groups to operate. China also cultivated a friendly relationship under Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership, opening many doors for legal if controversial investments. China won’t want any disruptions to substantial investments in Myanmar that are tied to their global Belt and Road Initiative.
Anti-coup protesters run after riot police fire tear gas in Yangon.Credit:Getty
Australia has an arms embargo on Myanmar, but it should also encourage other UN member countries to join the push for a global arms embargo. Most important, Australia should immediately impose targeted sanctions on the senior military leaders responsible for the junta’s abuses, including the killing of protesters on Myanmar’s streets. Targeted sanctions against individuals such as Senior General Min Aung Hlaing should include travel bans and freezing of private assets and businesses. Imposing targeted sanctions reinforces Australia’s unity with other like-minded countries that have already made these efforts, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Sanctions will only be effective if governments take a co-ordinated and unified approach. Failing to act quickly will risk legitimising and further entrenching a military junta that has refused to respect the human rights or dignity of the country’s people.
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People in Myanmar are risking their lives every day to challenge military rule. Australia should take concrete actions in response to the calls of people of Myanmar to help cripple the military’s revenue sources and to ensure a return to civilian democratic rule.
Manny Maung is the Myanmar researcher for Human Rights Watch. Follow her on Twitter @mannymaung
