H.E. Dr. Sasa, Union Minister of the Ministry of International Cooperation and Spokesperson of the National Unity Government of Myanmar greatly welcomes further UK sanctions against military linked crony U Tay Za and his Htoo Group of companies that has been complicit in not only the slaughter of countless Rohingya lives, but in every other region of Myanmar as well. This will be yet another huge blow to the illegal military junta and further restrict their cashflow by restricting the military junta’s ability to gain access to or have dealings with many suppliers through Htoo Group. This is another huge and important step in ending the violence and bloodshed across the country.

The official Press Release of the United Kingdom is as follows:

“Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has announced new sanctions today against Myanmar businessman U Tay Za and his business empire Htoo Group.

“Htoo Group of Companies, of which U Tay Za is the founder and chairman, is a large business network that operates across the region, which contributed funds to the 2017 Rohingya clearance operations in Rakhine. U Tay Za is associated with the military through his extensive links with the former and current junta regimes and has provided support for serious human rights violations in his role in assisting the military to procure arms.

“These sanctions make clear that the UK will take concrete measures to limit the junta’s access to finance and economic resources, including by targeting business networks associated with the military regime.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

“The military junta has shown no signs of halting its brutal attack on the people of Myanmar.

“Along with our partners, the UK will continue to restrict the junta’s access to finance and the supply of arms used to kill innocents, including children, and target those who support the junta’s actions.

“Enforced with immediate effect, sanctions will freeze all UK assets held by Htoo Group and U Tay Za, as well as banning the business tycoon from entering the UK. Sanctions will also block others from providing funds or economic resources to both those designated.

“These sanctions follow recent efforts to ensure that the supply of arms to Myanmar is halted, and follow on from the Communiqué the UK secured at the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, that committed members to prevent the supply of arms and technical assistance to the military. In addition, on 18 June, the UK worked with partners to deliver a UN General Assembly Resolution which urged member states to prevent the flow of arms to Myanmar.

“Under the UK’s presidency the G7 continues to call for a return to democracy, an end to the violence and the immediate adoption of the ASEAN 5-point consensus, including the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.”

H.E. Dr. Sasa stated:

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the United Kingdom for taking a lead and being an advocate and voice for the people of Myanmar and imposing even stronger targeted sanctions against military junta  linked crony U Tay Za and his Htoo Group of companies. The UK is a steadfast supporter of our democratic transition, and I want to extend my deepest thanks on behalf of the 54 million citizens of Myanmar for the continued support and solidarity of the United Kingdom with the people of Myanmar.

I continue to appeal to all nations around the globe to join with us, and support us, the people and rightfully elected National Unity Government of Myanmar, and help us end this cruel and unlawful military junta occupation. We especially urge all nations to completely cease any and all engagement with the Military and all its entities and cronies, both directly and indirectly, and put even tougher coordinated, targeted and more widespread sanctions both diplomatically and economically. Every moment that these tougher measures are delayed, more and more lives are lost, and thousands are displaced from their homes in Myanmar, losing everything they own. We need your help to stop this now before more innocent lives are lost, and together build a true federal democratic union for ALL the people of Myanmar.

Thank you for strongly standing with the 54 million brave people of Myanmar in this darkest time in the history of our nation. The recognition of our voice, and your support, will ensure that we remain as your faithful allies, friends, and economic partners for generations to come.”

Official UK Government press release

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of Ministry of International Cooperation
Spoke Person of Nation Unity Government
Former Special Envoy to United Nations