Myanmar junta facing ‘existential threat’: UN expert
He cited Singapore, which has clamped down on sales of equipment for military use, and such transfers fell by 83 per cent last year, Andrews told a press conference in Geneva.
But he stressed that this was not the case for Russia and China, respectively the first and second suppliers of arms to the junta.
However, Andrews said, more could be done to stifle the junta financially.
“We need to have a fundamental change in how we’re applying the sanctions. We’ve got to do it in a coordinated, focused way,” he said.
Andrews is investigating banking and financial relations between the junta and the rest of the world and hopes to publish a report on the subject later this year.
He also warned of lacking global focus on Myanmar’s fate as the world concentrates on other conflicts.
“The junta are like mushrooms: they thrive in the dark,” he said.
“What is important is to lay the ground for a democratic, human rights-respecting Myanmar.
“We need as an international community to do much more to support the people inside the country, but if we do … we could be very close to ending this nightmare.”
Source: CNA