Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 22 April 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/184/CFSP^f1 concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma.

On 26 April 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/655^f2 which provides for a legal framework for targeted restrictive measures against certain natural persons from the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and the Border Guard Police responsible for serious human rights violations, for obstructing the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need and for obstructing the conduct of independent investigations into alleged serious human rights violations or abuses.

On 25 June 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/900^f3 which designated seven high-ranking Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and Border Guard Police officials because of their involvement in or association with the atrocities and serious human rights violations committed against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State.

On 17 September 2018, the independent international Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) of the United Nations Human Rights Council published its detailed report on Myanmar in which it was concluded that gross human rights violations and abuses had been committed in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States, in particular by the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and the Border Guard Police and that many of those violations amounted to the gravest crimes under international law.

In view of the findings of the FFM and the responsibility for human rights violations committed by parts of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and the Border Guard Police, seven persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in the Annex to Decision 2013/184/CFSP.

The Annex to Decision 2013/184/CFSP should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: