Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has issued a statement calling on Canada, EU, UK, and the United States to continue imposing sanctions on the military council, which has recently changed its name from the State Administration Council (SAC) to the State Security and Peace Commission. According to JFM, this name change represents an attempt by the illegal military group to create a loophole to circumvent international sanctions. The organization emphasizes that this rebranding effort should not prevent continued sanctions against the military regime.
The current leadership of the renamed commission includes the same individuals who led the previous military council, specifically Min Aung Hlaing and Soe Win, who are already subject to sanctions by Canada, EU, UK, United States, and Australia. JFM notes that all ten members of the commission are currently under sanctions in at least one jurisdiction, and all were senior members of the terrorist military group until July 31. The organization’s spokesperson, Yadanar Maung, emphasized that governments must not allow the military group to circumvent sanctions through this superficial name change.
Since the rebranding, the military council has escalated its war crimes and violence against civilians. In a recent incident, at least 32 civilians were killed in an airstrike in the Mawchi region. The military council has been subject to sanctions from the United States, UK, European Union, and Canada throughout 2021, 2022, and 2023. Despite these sanctions, the military group has recently managed to hire the U.S.-based public relations firm DCI Group, signing a one-year contract worth $3 million to rebuild relations with the U.S. government. Similarly, in 2021, the military group had hired a Canadian public relations firm’s representative to lobby the U.S. government, though this contract was terminated following U.S. sanctions that prevented payments.
JFM emphasizes that sanctions are crucial tools for confronting human rights violators, international criminals, and potential dictators worldwide. The organization stresses that governments must maintain their stance against attempts to circumvent these sanctions. The recent hiring of international PR firms demonstrates the military council’s ongoing efforts to evade international pressure, making it essential for the international community to maintain and strengthen their sanctions against the newly renamed commission, following the precedent set with previous sanctions against the military council.
