Joint Letter from 228 Organizations to President Biden Calling for Sanctions on Companies Supplying the Burmese Military with Aviation Fuel
June 27, 2024
President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 200500
Dear President Biden,
We, the undersigned 228 organizations, including the ethnic and religious minorities of Burma, are deeply concerned by the upswing in aerial attacks carried out by the Burmese junta since the start of the coup. These airstrikes target heavily populated areas, taking the lives of civilians, and completely destroying crucial public infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. We urge you to take and coordinate action immediately and implement harsher sanctions that will effectively hold the military junta accountable for this blatant violation of international law and cut off its fuel and weaponry supply.
Since the start of the coup in 2021 until now, the Burmese junta has carried out at least 1,427 airstrikes across Burma, killing over 434 civilians. Countrywide data on reported airstrikes reveal the junta’s increasing reliance on aerial strikes over time. In 2023, the International Institute for Strategic Studies found that the military conducted, on average, at least 49 airstrikes monthly. This was 25% higher than 2022 when the military conducted at least 39 average monthly aerial attacks. Airstrikes are expected to double this year, unless immediate action is taken. These aerial attacks occur in civilian spaces, even when there are no resistance groups present, nor fighting occurring.
Organizations have been sounding the alarm since 2022, when the military intentionally bombed an outdoor concert in October, killing over 80 civilians. The limited action from the U.S. and the international community has only encouraged more aggressive attacks to continue over the years, resulting in mass destruction and suffering. Around the same time in 2023, the military attacked an IDP camp, killing 28 civilians, including 11 children. This year, in February 2024, the junta went as far as to conduct airstrikes on schools, taking the lives of children and teachers.
We appreciate that after receiving a letter from organizations urging the ban on jet fuel last year, the U.S. has taken some actions in targeting the junta’s access to jet fuel, including sanctions on part of the Asia Sun Group business network that was importing fuel into Burma. However, these sanctions have been limited and more is needed. The U.S. has yet to make extensive use of the regulatory determination it used last August emphasizing that selling aviation fuel to Burma was a sanctionable offense.
Additionally, this year, the UN adopted a resolution for states to refrain from supporting aviation fuel trade and sale. As a responsible member state, the U.S. must only further demonstrate unwavering commitment and strict adherence to this resolution. This involves placing comprehensive aviation fuel sanctions, which only Canada has accomplished at the moment. The U.S. however can demonstrate its own leadership in this matter and fulfill its international obligations by participating in a complete aviation fuel embargo.
To prevent these devastating attacks, it is imperative that the United States further lead coordinated action within the international community to cut off the junta’s ability to purchase aviation fuel and supplies. A recent report from the UN Special Rapporteur showed that the junta’s imports of aviation fuel increased in 2023, including fuel imported through Asia Sun network. More must be done. Targeted sanctions must have harsher penalties and stronger enforcement. Otherwise, these international allies will continue to sell and transport aviation fuel to the junta which will be used to target and kill civilians.
We recognize and thank you for the actions you have taken thus far to support the people of Burma. However, as organizations that have connections, indirect and direct, with those on the ground in Burma, we know that the United States needs to do more. Please regard the junta’s aerial attack as a devastating warning of what is to come for the people of Burma should the military continue to have unchecked access to fuel and other supplies. The United States holds the power and influence to create change - please ensure that this power is not wasted.
We ask for the specific actions below:
1. Sanction international companies that sell aviation fuel supplies to the military junta. While smaller Burmese entities can be easily replaced, major international entities would face severe repercussions and serious obstacles to their ability to supply the military.
2. Bar any entity from providing shipping insurance, transport, storage facilities, or other shipping services to companies selling aviation fuel to the military, its allies or affiliated companies. The most effective way of disrupting the flow of aviation fuel is to prevent ships from picking up cargo or accessing ports by withholding insurance and services.
3. Impose full sanctions on the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), as the European Union has already done. Sanctions on MOGE itself, not just on MOGE officials, would cut off one of the junta’s largest revenue streams and have the greatest impact on stopping the junta’s campaign of lethal violence in the country.
4. Hold the Burmese junta accountable for their clear violations of international law and active war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and mass atrocities.
Also CC: Secretary Blinken, Counselor Chollet, and National Security Council
Sincerely,
Signatories:
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1. 88 Generation, Thailand
2. Action Committee for Democracy Development, Burma
3. ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Council, Burma
4. Albany Karenni Community, NY, USA
5. ALTSEAN-Burma, Thailand
6. American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, NE, USA
7. International Network for Myanmar Spring Revolution, Burma
8. Anti Dictatorship in Burma DMV-PA, USA
9. Arakan Institute for Peace and Human Rights, TX, USA
10. Arizona Kachin Community, AZ, USA
11. Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters, Burma
12. Athan-Freedom of Expression Activist Organization, Burma
13. Australian Karen Organisation, Inc.-NSW Branch, Australia
14. Australian Karen Organistion Inc (National), Australia
15. Baptist World Alliance / Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, USA
16. Blood Money Campaign, Burma
17. Boston Free Burma, MA, USA
18. Burma Action Ireland
19. Burma Advocacy Group, NJ, USA
20. Burma Campaign UK
21. Burma Human Rights Network, UK
22. Burmese Canadian Network, Canada
23. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
24. California Kachin Community, CA, USA
25. Calvary Burmese Church, USA
26. Campaign for a New Myanmar, USA
27. Canada Burmese Community, Canada
28. CDM Support Group (India), IL, USA
29. Chin Association of Maryland, USA
30. Chin Baptist Association, North America
31. Chin Baptist Churches USA
32. Chin Community of USA, DC
33. Chindwin Medical and Humanitarian Network, Burma
34. Civil Disobedience Movement, Burma
35. Coalition of Burma Ethnic Malaysia, Malaysia
36. Cooperative University, Burma
37. Coordination Team for Emergency Relief (Karenni), Burma
38. Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention, IN, USA
39. CRPH & NUG Supporters Ireland
40. CRPH Funding Ireland
41. CRPH NUG Support Group NSW, Australia
42. CRPH Support Group, Norway
43. Dallas Kachin Community, TX, USA
44. DEEKU Community of Amarillo, TX, USA
45. Karenni Community of Texas, USA
46. Defend Myanmar Democracy, Burma
47. Democratic Youth Council, Burma
48. Department of Basic Education, Burma
49. DFW Kachin Baptist Church, TX, USA
50. Earth Rights International, USA
51. Educational Initiatives Prague, Czech Republic
52. European Karen Network, Europe
53. Florida Kachin Community, FL, USA
54. Free Burma Campaign, South Africa
55. Free Rohingya Coalition, Burma
56. Freedom and Labor Action Group, Burma
57. Future Light Center, Burma
58. Georgia Kachin Community, GA, USA
59. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, USA
60. Global Hope Myanmar, TN, USA
61. General Strike Committee of Nationalities, Burma
62. General Strike Coordination Body, Burma
63. Hope For Tomorrow, Inc., IN, USA
64. Houston Kachin Community, TX, USA
65. Human Rights Defenders Solidarity Network, Canada
66. Human Rights Foundation of Monland, Burma
67. Humanity Institute, Burma
68. India for Myanmar, Burma
69. Info Birmanie, France
70. Initiatives for International Dialogue, Philippines
71. Insight Myanmar Podcast, CO, USA
72. Institute for Asian Democracy, DC, USA
73. International Campaign for the Rohingya, USA
74. International Civil Society Action Network, DC, USA
75. International Karen Organization, Norway
76. Iowa Kachin Community, IA, USA
77. Kachin Alliance, DC, USA
78. Kachin American Community (Portland–Vancouver), USA
79. Kachin Baptist Churches, MD, USA
80. Kachin Community of Indiana, IN, USA
81. Kachin Community of USA
82. Kachin State Accountable and Governance, Burma
83. Kansas Karenni community, KS, USA
84. Karen American Association of Wisconsin, WI, USA
85. Karen Association of Huron, SD, USA
86. Karen Community Association UK
87. Karen Community in Norway
88. Karen Community of Akron, OH, USA
89. Karen Community of Canada
90. Karen Community of Iowa, IA, USA
91. KarenCommunity of Kansas City, KS & MO, USA
92. Karen Community of Minnesota, MN, USA
93. Karen Department of Health and Welfare, Thailand
94. Karen Human Rights Group, Burma
95. Karen Organization of America, USA
96. Karen Organization of Illinois, IL, USA
97. Karen Peace Support Network, Thailand/Burma
98. Karen Student Network Group, Thailand
99. Karen Welfare Association WA Inc., Australia
100. Karen Women's Organization, Thailand
101. Karen Youth Education Pathways, USA
102. Karenni American Youth Association, USA
103. Karenni Americans Association, MN, USA
104. Karenni Baptist Convention of America, USA
105. Karenni Community of Amarillo, TX, USA
106. Karenni Community of Arizona, USA
107. Karenni Community of Arkansas, USA
108. Karenni Community of Austin, TX, USA
109. Karenni Community of Bowling Green, KY, USA
110. Karenni Community of Buffalo, NY, USA
111. Karenni Community of Charlotte, NC
112. Karenni Community of Chicago, IL
113. Karenni Community of Colorado, USA
114. Karenni Community of Connecticut, USA
115. Karenni Community of Dallas, TX, USA
116. Karenni Community of Des Moines, IA, USA
117. Karenni Community of Florida, USA
118. Karenni Community of Fort Wayne, IN, USA
119. Karenni Community of Fort Worth, TX, USA
120. Karenni Community of Georgia, USA
121. Karenni Community of Grand Rapid, MI, USA
122. Karenni Community of Houston, TX, USA
123. Karenni Community of Idaho, USA
124. Karenni Community of Indianapolis, IN, USA
125. Karenni Community of Lansing, MI, USA
126. Karenni Community of Lousiville, KY, USA
127. Karenni Community of Marshalltown, IA, USA
128. Karenni Community of Massachusetts, USA
129. Karenni Community of Minnesota, USA
130. Karenni Community of Missouri, USA
131. Karenni Community of New Jersey, USA
132. Karenni Community of Owensboro, KY, USA
133. Karenni Community of Pennsylvania, USA
134. Karenni Community of Portland, OR, USA
135. Karenni Community of Rockford, IL, USA
136. Karenni Community of San Antonio, TX, USA
137. Karenni Community of Sioux Falls, SD, USA
138. Karenni Community of Utah, USA
139. Karenni Community of Utica, NY, USA
140. Karenni Community of Washington, USA
141. Karenni Community of Waterloo, IA, USA
142. Karenni Community of Wheaton, IL, USA
143. Karenni Community of Winston Salem, NC, USA
144. Karenni Community of Wisconsin, USA
145. Karenni Federation of Australia
146. Karenni Human Rights Group, Burma
147. Karenni National Women's Organization, Burma
148. Karenni Society of Nebraska, USA
149. Karenni Society of Omaha, NE, USA
150. Karenni Youth of Minnesota, USA
151. Karenni-American Association, USA
152. Karenni-American Catholic Association, USA
153. Karenni-American Women Association, USA
154. Kayahlilaykloe, The Karenni Community of Austin, MN, USA
155. Kentucky Kachin Community, USA
156. Kuki Students' Democratic Front, Burma
157. LASHIO UlC (University of Teachers' Union), Burma
158. Living Dignity for the Blind, Burma
159. Louisiana Kachin Community, USA
160. Malaysia Karen Organisation, Malaysia
161. Maryland Kachin Community, USA
162. Matupi Community Development Organization, Burma
163. Mekong Watch, Japan
164. Metta Campaign, Burma
165. Michigan Kachin Community, USA
166. Ministry of Education-NUG, Burma
167. Ministry of Electricity and Energy-NUG, Burma
168. Minnesota Kachin Community, USA
169. Minnesota Peace Project, USA
170. Monolith p/L, Singapore
171. Myanma Railways (CDM), Burma
172. Myanmar Economic Bank (CDM), Burma
173. Myanmar Emergency Fund-Canada
174. Myanmar National Association of the Blind, Burma
175. MyaYar Knowledge Tree, Burma
176. National League for Democracy, Burma
177. National University of Arts and Culture, Burma
178. Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma
179. Never Again Coalition, OR, USA
180. New York Kachin Community, NY, USA
181. No Business With Genocide, USA
182. Nonviolence International, DC, USA
183. North Carolina Kachin Community, NC, USA
184. Oakland Burmese Mission Baptist Church, CA, USA
185. Omaha Kachin Community, NE, USA
186. Pathfinder Institute Myanmar, Burma
187. Peace and Justice Committee, KY, USA
188. Pennsylvania Kachin Community, PA, USA
189. People Police (CDM), Burma
190. Progressive Voice
191. Resilient Action for Kachin State, Burma
192. Rochester Karenni Community, NY, USA
193. Rohingya American Society, WI, USA
194. Shan Women’s Action Network, Burma
195. Sitt Nyein Pann Foundation, Burma
196. South Carolina Kachin Community, SC, USA
197. Spring University Myanmar, Italy
198. Support Group for Democracy in Myanmar, Netherlands
199. Ta'ang Women's Organization, Burma
200. Technological Teachers' Federation-TTF, Burma
201. Tennessee Kachin Community, TN, USA
202. The Sentry, USA
203. U.S. Campaign for Burma, USA
204. Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice, USA
205. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, USA
206. Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, USA
207. United Hands for Our Freedom, MD, USA
208. United States Chin Coalition, IN, USA
209. University of Computer Studies, Burma
210. University of Yangon, Burma
211. UU Ministry for Earth, CO, USA
212. Virginia Kachin Community, VA, USA
213. Washington Kachin Community, WA, USA
214. West Virginia Kachin Community, WV, USA
215. West Yangon Technological University, Burma
216. Women Advocacy Coalition Myanmar, Thailand
217. Women’s Peace Network, Burma
218. Yangon City Development Committee, Burma
219. Yangon Deaf Group, Burma
220. Yenanchaung People Defence Force, Burma
221. Zo Christian Association, USA
222. Zomi Christian Fellowship of Norway
223. Zotung Organization of America
224. !ိ#င်ငံေရးအကျ-းသားေဟာင်းအဖွဲ4 ြမင်းြခံ, Burma
225. ပညာေရး - Wetlet Township Board of Education, Burma
226. ပညာေရးဝန်>ကီးဌာန, Burma
227.ြမန်မာ့မီးရထား, Ayawaddy, Burma
228. ေရCကည်တစ်ေပါက်ေတာ်လHန်အင်အားစ# ကIညီေရးအသင်း, Burma