Today, UK authorities sanctioned the following Burmese entities under its Myanmar sanctions program:

1. DIRECTORATE FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRIES
a.k.a: (1) Defence Products Industries (2) Ka Pa Sa (3) Karkweye Pyitsu Setyoun Address: Ministry of Defence, Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): MYA0032 (UK Statement of Reasons): The Myanmar military seized power from civilian leaders on 1 February in a coup d’état and established a military junta. The Myanmar security forces have committed serious human rights violations since 1 February 2021 and are responsible for the repression of the civilian population. The Directorate for Defence Industries (DDI) is a state-owned enterprise which operates under the Ministry of Defence (MOD). There are reasonable grounds to suspect that DDI is or has been involved in undermining democracy, the rule of law or good governance in Myanmar and the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar by its involvement in the supply to Myanmar of goods or technology which could contribute to a serious human rights violation or abuse. Further, there are reasonable grounds to suspect that DDI, as a state-owned enterprise subservient to the MOD, is acting on behalf or at the direction of the Minister of Defence, General Mya Tun Oo, who has been involved in undermining democracy, the rule of law or good governance in Myanmar and the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar, and is designated by the UK’s Myanmar sanctions regime. (Organisation type): Public Company Listed on: 10/12/2021 Last Updated: 10/12/2021 Group ID: 14165.

2. DIRECTORATE FOR DEFENCE PROCUREMENT
Address: Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): MYA0033 (UK Statement of Reasons): The Directorate of Procurement sits within the Myanmar Ministry of Defence, which is responsible for the Myanmar Armed Forces who are perpetrating a campaign of violence and human rights violations across Myanmar. The Commander-in-Chief, a designated individual in his own right, is associated with the Directorate of Procurement in his capacity as head of the Tatmadaw. Evidence indicates the Directorate of Procurement plays a central role in procuring and maintain weapons and equipment for the Myanmar Armed Forces, allowing them to continue to repress peaceful protests in Myanmar. (Organisation type): Public Company Listed on: 10/12/2021 Last Updated: 10/12/2021 Group ID: 14166.

3. MYANMAR WAR VETERANS ORGANISATION
Address: Thukhuma Road, Datkhina Thiri Tsp, Naypyitaw Division, Myanmar. Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): MYA0030 (UK Statement of Reasons): The Myanmar War Veterans Organisation (MWVO) is associated with the Tatmadaw which is responsible for serious human rights violations against the population of Myanmar; undermining democracy and repressing the civilian population, in particular during the 2021 coup d'etat and violence against ethnic minorities. The MWVO functions in part as a reserve force for the Tatmadaw and helps shape national defence and security policy. Several high-ranking serving Tatmadaw officers sit on the Central Patron Board. In particular the Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, both of whom have been involved in serious human rights violations (and designated under the Global Human Rights sanctions regulations) sit on the Central Patron Board of the MWVO. Further or alternatively, the MWVO has promoted and supported the Tatmadaw’s involvement in undermining democracy; violating human rights; and repressing the civilian population. The MWVO organises pro-regime rallies in support of, and to counter international condemnation of the Tatmawdaw; and practises people’s militia. Further or alternatively, MWVO is also associated with Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL), a designated entity, through a shared governance structure and financial relationship. (Phone number): (1) (067) 30485 (2) (067) 30790 (3) (067) 30795 Fax: (067) 30797 (Website): https://www.mwvo.org (Email address): (1) mwvo.npt@gmail.com (2) mwvo.admin.npt@mwvo.org (Organisation type): Private Company Listed on: 10/12/2021 Last Updated: 10/12/2021 Group ID: 14163.

4. QUARTER MASTER GENERAL OFFICE
Address: Quarter Master General Office, Ministry of Defence, Building 24, Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): MYA0031 (UK Statement of Reasons): The Quarter Master General Office (QMGO) sits within the Myanmar Ministry of Defence which is responsible for overseeing a campaign of violence and human rights violations across Myanmar, particularly in ethnic areas. Evidence indicates that the QMGO plays a crucial role in procuring equipment for the Myanmar Armed Forces, including ammunition, bombs and jet fuel. This directly enables serious human rights violations, and the repression of the civilian population including peaceful protestors and ethnic minorities. Further and/or alternatively, the QMGO is associated with the Commander-in-Chief (as Chief of the Armed Forces) who is a designated individual. The QMGO also works for the State Administration Council (SAC), as the SAC has control over the Ministry of Defence. In addition, the QMGO is intrinsically linked with Myanmar Economic Corporation, which is designated for funding serious human rights violations. (Organisation type): Public Company Listed on: 10/12/2021 Last Updated: 10/12/2021 Group ID: 14164.

They also designated the following person:

1. BANGALZAI, Furqan
POB: Pakistan a.k.a: (1) ABDULLAH (2) AZAM (3) BANGALZAI, Farooq (4) BROHI, Farhan (5) FAROOQ Nationality: Pakistan National Identification no: 51602-9768615-5 Address: (1) Saryab Road, Sindhi Gali Quetta, Pakistan. (2) Karachi central prison, Pakistan. Position: Former commander of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GHR0082 Affiliated with ISIS-K (UK Statement of Reasons): Furqan Bangalzai was commander of the militant wing of the terror organisation Lashkar-e- Jhangvi. In this capacity, he was involved in an activity which, if carried out by or on behalf of a State within the territory of that State, would amount to a serious violation by that State of an individual’s right to life by his role in facilitating the bombing of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan, in which at least 70 people were killed. Additional information: In May 2020, Bangalzai was convicted of 70 counts of murder for his involvement in the bombing. (Gender): Male Listed on: 10/12/2021 Last Updated: 10/12/2021 Group ID: 14167.

under their Global Human Rights sanctions program.

And the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon issued the following press release:

Press release

New UK sanctions target human rights violations and abuses in Myanmar and Pakistan

The UK announced new sanctions against the Myanmar military for their continued suppression of the civilian population and for serious human rights violations. From:Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Officeand Lord Ahmad of WimbledonPublished10 December 2021

• on International Human Rights Day, the UK announces new sanctions against the Myanmar military for their role in serious human rights violations against civilians
• sanctions made in coordination with US and Canada
• the UK has also sanctioned a former commander in the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who helped orchestrate a 2017 bombing in Pakistan

The UK has today (10 December 2021) announced new sanctions against the Myanmar military for their continued suppression of the civilian population and for serious human rights violations.

The sanctions, announced alongside the US and Canada, demonstrate the UK’s staunch commitment to hold Myanmar’s military accountable for human rights violations and our resolve to act, together with our partners, to limit its access to arms, equipment and funding.

The UK has also sanctioned Furqan Bangalzai, a former commander in the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who helped orchestrate the 2017 bombing of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Pakistan. Designating Bangalzai for his role in the attack, in which more than 70 Sufi worshipers were killed, reinforces the UK’s commitment to defending religious freedom where minority faith groups face persecution.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia, the UN, and the Commonwealth and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict said:

The sanctions made today target some of the most callous violations and abuses of human rights, including cases where civilians suffer unrelenting state repression and worshippers have been targeted and killed for their religious beliefs.

The UK will always be a fierce champion of human rights and we will work with our fellow democracies and partners, as a network of liberty, to hold to account those who deny these fundamental freedoms.

The UK will impose travel bans and asset freezes pursuant to the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 and the Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 respectively on those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses and those responsible for undermining fundamental rights and liberties.

The designations made under the Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 are:

• the Quarter Master General’s Office, which plays a crucial role in procuring equipment for the Myanmar Armed Forces and is responsible for overseeing a campaign of violence and human rights violations across Myanmar
• the Directorate for Defence Industries, a state-owned enterprise that has manufactured weapons and technology used by the Myanmar military
• the Directorate for Defence Procurement, responsible for buying arms from abroad used by the Myanmar military to undermine democracy and violate fundamental rights of the civilian population
• the Myanmar War Veterans Organisation, a quasi-reserve force for the Myanmar military which has publicly supported the military’s undermining of democracy, violation of human rights, and repression of the civilian population

The individual designated under the Global Human Rights Sanctions regime today is:

• Furqan Bangalzai, a former commander in the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, for his role in the 2017 bombing of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan which killed 70 people

Today’s announcement ensures this individual cannot freely travel to the UK, channel money through UK banks or profit from the UK economy.

Background: full list of designations today

Under the Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021

• the Quarter Master General’s Office
• the Directorate for Defence Industries, a state-owned enterprise
• the Directorate for Defence Procurement.
• the Myanmar War Veterans Organisation, a quasi-reserve force for the Myanmar military

Under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020

• Furqan Bangalzai; a former commander in the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi

Read the UK Sanctions List.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Links:

OFSI Notices – Myanmar, Global Human Rights

FCDO Press Release

Categories: Burma Sanctions Human Rights Sanctions OFSI Updates Sanctions Lists

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