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Justice For Myanmar welcomes Switzerland’s imposition of sanctions on the junta-controlled Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) today.
The sanctions follow European Union (EU) sanctions on MOGE imposed on February 21, 2022.
Switzerland does not impose unilateral sanctions but rather implements international sanctions imposed by the EU, United Nations and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) through the Embargo Act.
Swiss sanctions on MOGE are important in closing a loophole that the junta could use to generate funds from the oil and gas sector, which finance its ongoing campaign of terror against the Myanmar people.
The oil and gas industry is the biggest source of foreign-currency revenue for the junta. Oil and gas revenue is used to purchase arms, aviation fuel and other supplies needed for the junta's continuing commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to the junta’s own figures, Myanmar’s natural gas exports were worth US$841.7 million in the 3 months to June 2023 alone.
Switzerland’s decision to sanction MOGE follows pressure on the government to act through a freedom of information request by Justice for Myanmar, a March 7 press release and reporting by Tages-Anzeiger.
Justice For Myanmar submitted a freedom of information request to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) on March 23, 2024 for “all documents prepared for the Federal Council advising on whether Switzerland should implement sanctions against Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)”.
According to documents received through the request, Switzerland’s decision to not sanction MOGE was to avoid the need to modify Swiss law to implement a derogation in EU sanctions for the decommissioning of oil and gas fields.
Swiss banks have historic ties to Myanmar state-owned banks. A 2018 report noted that the now junta-controlled Myanma Foreign Trade Bank, which has been used for international transactions by MOGE, had correspondent banking relations in Switzerland.
There have also been Swiss insurance links to Myanmar’s oil and gas sector. The Swiss-based company Infrassure was chosen as the reinsurer for the China-Myanmar gas pipeline in 2011, according to a leaked document shared with Justice For Myanmar.
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “We welcome Switzerland’s decision to finally sanction MOGE, aligning with EU sanctions on Myanmar.
“This closes an important loophole in EU sanctions and sends a message of solidarity with the people of Myanmar, who have been struggling for democracy against a brutal junta for more than four years.
“The junta uses gas revenues to buy the arms and aviation fuel it needs to sustain its indiscriminate airstrikes and shelling against civilians, which amount to international crimes.
“We call on Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia to follow Switzerland and swiftly impose sanctions on MOGE.”
