Tougher measures needed against Myanmar
Military officers ruled Myanmar since 1962 when General Ne Win took control of then Burma through a coup d’état. The country has remained under the control of the military even though some form of democracy was established in recent years under the pressure of international sanctions and embargoes.
The punitive measures taken against the army in recent weeks-including suspension of monetary aid and military training by Britain, and loans by the IMF-have been welcomed by human rights activists. I think the EU’s decision to put a travel ban on the country’s top military brass should also be extended to its so-called democratic leaders whose role in the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Rohingya cannot be overlooked. I also think the international community should undertake tougher measures to end the conflict through the UN.
AKM Ehsanul Haque
Dhaka
