Introduction
1. The Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 (the “UK Regulations”) were made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 and provide for the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons, entities or bodies involved in undermining democracy, the rule of law or good governance in Myanmar; the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar; the commission of, or the obstruction of an independent investigation into, a serious human rights violation or abuse in Myanmar; the commission of a violation of international humanitarian law in Myanmar; the obstruction of a humanitarian assistance activity in Myanmar; any other action, policy or activity which threatens the peace, stability or security of Myanmar.
2. On 10 December 2021 the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated the UK sanctions list to reflect changes to those persons designated under the UK Regulations. A link to the UK sanctions list can be found below.
3. The Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Implementation of External Sanctions) (Jersey) Order 2021 (the “Order”), made under the Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Jersey) Law 2019 (“SAFL”), links to the UK Regulations.
4. Any changes to asset-freeze designations made under the UK Regulations are effective immediately by virtue of the ambulatory provisions in Jersey’s sanctions legislation.
5. An asset freeze now applies to the persons listed in the Annex to this Notice under Part 3 of SAFL.
Notice summary (Full details are provided in the Annex to this Notice)
6. The following designations have been made and are now subject to an asset freeze:
- Directorate for Defence Industries
- Directorate for Defence Procurement
- Myanmar War Veterans Organisation
- Quarter Master General Office
What you must do
7. You must:
- check whether you maintain any accounts or hold any funds or economic resources for the persons set out in the Annex to this Notice.
- freeze such accounts, and other funds or economic resources.
- refrain from dealing with the funds or assets or making them available (directly or indirectly) to such persons unless licensed by the Minister for External Relations and Financial Services (“MERFS”).
- report any findings to MERFS, together with any additional information that would facilitate compliance with SAFL.
- provide any information concerning the frozen assets of designated persons that MERFS may request. Information reported to MERFS may be passed on to other regulatory authorities or law enforcement.
8. Failure to comply with sanctions legislation or to seek to circumvent its provisions is a criminal offence.
Further Information
10. Jersey guidance on the Myanmar sanctions regime is available on
JFSC website.
11. Copies of Jersey sanctions legislation, including the
Order and
SAFL, can be found on the Jersey Legal Information Board website.
12. A copy of the UK Regulations can be obtained from
legislation.gov.uk and other relevant information about this regime can be found on
gov.uk.
13. A copy of the UK sanctions list can be found
here.
14. A copy of the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation consolidated list can be found
here.
Enquiries
15. Non-media enquiries, sanctions compliance reporting, and licence applications should be addressed to:
Head of International Compliance
Office of the Chief Executive
External Relations
sanctions@gov.je
ANNEX TO NOTICE
FINANCIAL SANCTIONS: MYANMAR
ADDITIONS
Entities
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 UK Consolidated 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 UK Consolidated 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 UK Consolidated 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 UK Consolidated Group ID: 14164.
Ministry of External Relations
10 December 2021
gov.je