By Nway/MPA
Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has welcomed Switzerland’s decision to impose sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a state-owned entity controlled by the military junta.
In a statement issued Tuesday, JFM praised the move, emphasizing its significance in restricting the junta’s access to vital revenue.
The activist group focuses on exposing and dismantling business networks that support Myanmar’s military.
According to Voice of America (VOA), Swiss sanctions on MOGE officially took effect today.
JFM stated that this follows similar sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) in February 2022.
“This decision closes a major loophole in the EU sanctions and sends a strong message of solidarity with the people of Myanmar, who have been fighting for democracy against a brutal military regime for over four years,” said Ma Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for JFM.
Switzerland, known for its neutral stance, typically enforces international sanctions imposed by entities such as the EU, the United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), rather than issuing its own.
“We urge Canada, the UK, and Australia to follow Switzerland’s lead and swiftly impose sanctions on MOGE,” Ma Yadanar Maung added.
MOGE is a key source of foreign currency for the military regime, generating significant tax revenue used to fund weapons, aviation fuel, and other military supplies.
The sanctions come after JFM called on Switzerland to take action against MOGE last Friday, a demand reinforced by sustained pressure on the Swiss government and investigative reporting from Tages-Anzeiger, a prominent Swiss German-language daily newspaper.
