UK lawmakers demand new sanctions on Myanmar military as Foreign Office faces criticism for lack of action

British Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the political spectrum staged a rare display of total partisan unity on Wednesday collectively demanding that the British government escalate sanctions, pursue international justice, and protect humanitarian aid sent into Myanmar.

Secured by former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the parliamentary debate put intense pressure on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to reverse what lawmakers characterized as two years of diplomatic paralysis in regards to Myanmar.

Opening the debate, Hunt insisted that the United Kingdom must reclaim its historical position as a primary driver of the international diplomatic response to the post-coup crisis in Myanmar.

“Britain does not have to stand on the sidelines, Britain must not stand on the sidelines, and I hope that when we hear from the Minister, he will tell us that Britain will not stand on the sidelines,” said Hunt, a Conservative Party MP.

Hunt pressed the government to swiftly introduce targeted sanctions against Myanmar state-owned financial institutions currently under the control of the regime in Naypyidaw, while also advocating for creative legal pathways to refer the crisis to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Additionally, he noted the urgent need for international monitoring regarding human rights violations committed by the ethnic armed group, the Arakan Army (AA), in Myanmar’s western Rakhine and Chin states, where it has seized control of 15 townships from the military.

Lawmakers target fuel, telecoms, and energy revenues

Several Labour Party MPs from across the aisle joined Hunt, identifying critical gaps where the U.K. has failed to match the aggressive financial restrictions imposed by its Western allies.

Rushanara Ali, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Burma, expressed gratitude to the advocacy group Burma Campaign UK before delivering a detailed critique of the government’s inaction since 2024.

“Given the escalating human rights violations, the British Government should be doing everything they can to identify and sanction sources of revenue and arms and to encourage our allies to do the same,” Ali said.

“We have not joined Canada in sanctioning the jet fuel sector… We have not joined the European Union and the United States of America in sanctioning Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)… We have not joined the United States of America in sanctioning international telecommunications company, Myanmar Mytel.”

Adding to the list of targets, Labour Party MP Luke Akehurst questioned why the U.K. had halted the rollout of new sanctions despite a documented surge in airstrikes against civilians carried out by the Myanmar military.

He urged the immediate targeting of the military-owned Mytel mobile network, as well as maritime shipping networks supplying jet fuel and explosives materials, noting that some materials originated in Iran.

Persecution of minorities and funding inequities

Highlighting the economic pillars of the regime, Labour Party MP Afzal Khan noted: “The genocide against the Rohingya Muslims, which has been ongoing for almost a decade, is one of the most horrifying examples of Islamophobia. Does the U.K. join the E.U. and the USA in imposing sanctions on the military-controlled Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, which is a major source of revenue for the military?”

Democratic Unionist MP Jim Shannon redirected the Parliament’s attention to the systematic, brutal campaigns targeting historic religious minorities inside Myanmar.

“Since the illegal military coup, the junta has executed a brutal, calculated campaign targeting predominantly Christian ethnic regions in Chin, [Karenni] and Kachin states as well as Sagaing and Yangon,” Shannon told the chamber, citing data from Christian non-profit organization Open Doors.

“Historical Christian communities face unprecedented violence, with churches being bombed via indiscriminate military airstrikes. Villages have been razed to the ground and Christian pastors are being unlawfully detained, disappeared or killed.”

Labour Party MP Catherine West challenged the government to evaluate the proportion of diplomatic focus and aid assigned to Myanmar relative to other pressing global emergencies.

“In Sudan, Gaza and other places, [this] long-running and tragic dispute… deserves much more attention – not just in this House… but from the Government,” said West.

The government defends its record with ‘golden oldies’

Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer replied by promising that the British government “will certainly not sit on the sidelines,” but he did not present a single new sanction, policy shift, or strategic commitment.

Instead, the Minister spent much of his time summarizing legislative and diplomatic actions implemented by the Foreign Office several years ago.

“The human rights situation in Myanmar remains grave, but withdrawal or silence is not an option,” Falconer concluded.

“Sustained pressure, co-ordinated engagement and targeted support can reduce harm, advance accountability and help lay the foundations for a future that respects the rights of all.”

Advocates blast Foreign Office ‘lethargy’

The government’s defensive response drew swift, scathing condemnation from civil society leaders observing the proceedings from the gallery.

“There was unanimous cross-party support for new sanctions and stronger action from the British government, and once again we saw nothing new from the British Foreign Office,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK, following the debate.

“Minister Hamish Falconer was forced to respond by listing ‘golden oldies’ of the things the Foreign Office did in the past, talking from the sidelines about not being on the sidelines. Given the cross-party support for stronger action… the lethargy from the Foreign Office as airstrikes and the death toll increases is inexplicable,” Roberts concluded.

Burma Campaign UK updated its Boycott List to include 16 new products and businesses in Myanmar on June 10. The U.K. has sanctioned 44 individuals and 39 entities in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup. https://english.dvb.no/myanmar-sanctions-monitor/