Burma / Myanmar

UN Sanctions

There are no UN sanctions on Burma/Myanmar.

EU Sanctions

EU sanctions on Burma/Myanmar began with an arms embargo imposed in 1990, travel restrictions in 1996, and targeted asset freezing measures in 2000.  The EU lifted all sanctions against Burma/Myanmar in 2012 with the exception of the arms embargo.  However, after alleged human rights violations in April 2018 in Rakhine State, the EU implemented Council Regulation (EU) 2018/647, extending the arms embargo, prohibiting export of dual-use goods, and imposing restrictions on export of monitoring equipment, and targeted sanctions on officials responsible for human rights violations.

UK Sanctions

The UK adopted the Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 in April 2021 (replacing the Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019), pursuant to which the UK can impose asset freezes and travel bans on persons reasonably suspected of being involved in undermining democracy, the repression of the civilian population, human rights violations, and impose trade restrictions on military technology, dual-use goods and goods which may be used to repress the civilian population.

US Sanctions

The US first imposed sanctions on Burma/Myanmar in 1988 consisting of an export ban of military goods; in 1997 investment by US persons was banned; imports from Burma/Myanmar were banned in 2003; and 25 targeted designations were made by OFAC in 2007.  There was a significant lifting of sanctions between 2013 and 2015, including the import ban.   The US imposed a new sanctions regime in February 2021 in response to the military coup, issuing Executive Order 14014, targeting the Burmese military and its leaders and business interests, introducing export restrictions of sensitive goods, and imposing asset freezes on Burmese government funds held in the US.