Burma Campaign UK urges London to toughen stance as Myanmar junta prepares ‘sham’ election

Mizzima

Burma Campaign UK has called for a revision of the British government’s approach to Myanmar, warning that the UK has slipped from “leaders to laggards” on human rights. The call comes as Myanmar’s junta moves ahead with what are widely seen as “sham election” beginning 28 December.

The appeal was issued alongside a new briefing paper outlining steps London should take to increase pressure on the junta. The briefing urges the UK government to reject the upcoming vote and the junta’s anticipated post-election “reform” process, which Burma Campaign UK argues will only entrench military rule.

Key recommendations in the paper include resuming targeted sanctions on the military’s revenue streams. This includes state-owned banks facilitating weapons purchases, the partly military-owned Mytel telecommunications company, and sources of jet fuel. They also call for a reversal of recent aid cuts, expanding refugee support, and advancing new strategies to raise Myanmar at the UN Security Council.

Burma Campaign UK also called for the expulsion of Myanmar’s military attaché from the UK.