New EU sanctions target Myanmar timber and natural resources sector to choke off funds for the junta

The Council of the European Union today announced a new wave of sanctions against the brutal military regime in Myanmar.

EIA’s Forests campaigners welcomed the move for recognising the importance of the county’s natural resources sector, especially timber exports, in generating hard currency for the regime.

Since the military coup of 1 February this year, EIA has led the call for targeted sanctions against the regime’s timber sector and the State-owned entities and individuals profiteering from its natural resources.

Teak logs in Myanmar (c) EIA

Our expert campaigners have been providing EU member states with detailed information over the past few months explaining the positive impacts that sanctions against the State-run Myanmar Timber Enterprise, Khin Maung Yi (the country’s environment minister) and the Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation will have for the people and forests of Myanmar.

We have been exposing Myanmar’s illegal timber exports and the international timber traders profiting from this crime for the past decade.

Faith Doherty, our Forests Campaigns Leader, said: “In support of the Civil Disobedience Movement’s call from inside Myanmar to choke off funds which support this violent and illegitimate regime, we welcome the announcement today that additional sanctions include lucrative natural resources such as the timber sector.

“There is now no legal source for timber, including precious teak, to be imported from Myanmar into the EU.

“With these targeted sanctions, we will be working to stop the flow of hard currency to those who profit individually, including traders in the international market.”

• Find out more about Myanmar’s tainted timber and the military coup in our online resource.