UN calls for embargo on arms sale to Myanmar

The mission released a report detailing how businesses run by Myanmar's army, provide financial support for military operations such as efforts to force the Muslim Rohingya people out of Rakhine state.

Jakarta: A United Nations fact-finding mission on Monday called for an embargo on arms sale to Myanmar and targeted sanctions against businesses with connections to the military after finding that they are helping to fund human rights abuses.

The mission released a report detailing how businesses run by Myanmar's army, also known as the Tatmadaw, provide financial support for military operations such as efforts to force the Muslim Rohingya people out of Rakhine state.

The report focused mainly on the activities of two main military-dominated conglomerates, Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. and Myanmar Economic Corp.

The report said that nearly 60 foreign companies have dealings with the businesses that are controlled by the two companies in industries ranging from jade and ruby mining to tourism and pharmaceuticals.

Head of the fact-finding mission, Marzuki Darusman said, "We now come out with a clear conclusion that there is this indisputable link between business and the committing of atrocities."

In March 2017, the UN's Human Rights Council established a fact-finding mission over repression of the Rohingya.

The violence drove more than 7,00,000 members of the Rohingya minority into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Myanmar's government has denied abuses and said its actions were justified in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents.

The report urged the UN and member governments to immediate impose targeted sanctions against companies run by the military and encouraged carrying out business with firms unaffiliated with the military instead.

The report alleged that at least 15 foreign companies have joint ventures with military-affiliated businesses.

The fact-finding mission did not propose sweeping sanctions against Myanmar.