EU extends sanctions against Myanmar until May 2027

The European Union has extended sanctions against Myanmar until at least May 2027, maintaining pressure on the country’s military leadership more than five years after the 2021 coup, according to Reuters.

The measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and an arms embargo targeting 105 individuals and 22 entities. The sanctions were originally introduced following the military takeover and subsequent crackdown on political opposition.

"The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of the actions taken by the Myanmar military since the 2021 coup," the EU Council said, pointing to what it called ongoing serious human rights violations and broad curbs on fundamental freedoms across the country.

It also called for an end to violence and the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.

Earlier this month, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing was declared president of Myanmar following elections that Western governments described as fraudulent.

According to the United Nations, around 3.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the coup. Human rights groups report nearly 8,000 deaths, tens of thousands of arrests, and more than 22,000 people still in detention.

The EU also confirmed it will continue restricting financial assistance to Myanmar’s authorities in order to prevent the legitimisation of the military regime.

By Jeyhun Aghazada