Nine Myanmar Military Leaders Added to Sanctions

Summary#

This final regulation, registered February 18, 2021 and published March 3, 2021, adds nine senior Myanmar military figures to the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations. It means those named are subject to Canadian sanctions that block transactions, freeze assets and restrict business with them.

What it does#

• Adds nine people to the list of designated persons under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations:
  • Min Aung Hlaing, Soe Win, Sein Win, Soe Htut, Ye Aung, Mya Tun Oo, Tin Aung San, Aung Lin Dwe, Ye Win Oo.
• Makes it illegal for people in Canada and Canadians abroad to:
  • deal in property owned or controlled by a designated person;
  • enter into or help with transactions that would do that;
  • provide financial or related services connected to those dealings;
  • make goods available to a designated person.
• The rules came into force on the registration date (so they were effective February 18, 2021) and applied even before being published in the Gazette.
• The regulations allow exemptions and permits, for example for humanitarian assistance or activities approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Criminal penalties for knowingly breaking the rules include a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to one year on summary conviction, or imprisonment for up to five years on indictment.

Who's affected#

• The nine named individuals and any assets or transactions tied to them.
• Canadian banks and other financial institutions, which must screen for and block prohibited transactions.
• Businesses that might otherwise trade with or provide services to those individuals. The government says such dealings are unlikely, so major business disruption is not expected.
• Enforcement agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency will handle compliance and investigations.
• The measures are aimed at the Myanmar military leadership after the events of February 1, 2021; they are intended to pressure that leadership, not to target the wider population.

Why it matters#

• These sanctions freeze access to Canadian financial services and property for the designated Myanmar military leaders. That can limit their ability to use assets or do business through Canada.
• The step signals Canada’s condemnation of the Myanmar military’s actions and aligns Canada with other countries taking targeted measures after the coup.
• For most Canadians the change is unlikely to be noticed day-to-day, but it matters to banks, exporters, and organizations working on humanitarian or diplomatic channels with Myanmar, since permits or exemptions may be needed.