Myanmar to join US-Asean maritime drills despite sanctions
- Myanmar’s commander-in-chief and three senior figures are subject to US travel bans for overseeing a bloody crackdown on Rohingya Muslims
- The drills come at a time of stepped-up US engagement in the region and amid tensions over rival claims in the South China Sea
But there are growing calls to further isolate the military, expand sanctions and prosecute senior leadership for genocide against the stateless minority.
“The sanctions imposed were personal and this exercise is a coordination between Asean and the US,” he said.
The US State Department said in a media advisory that the drills with the 10 nations of the regional bloc provide an opportunity “to work with all members of Asean on shared maritime security priorities in the region”.
Myanmar has rebuffed the allegations, saying it was defending itself from Rohingya insurgent attacks.
The crisis has also shattered the reputation of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Allegations of abuses on the ground in Rakhine state have been largely directed against army units, but rights groups say naval vessels were also implicated.
“The US should be working with members of the international community to push for accountability in Myanmar, not joining its military in exercises,” said John Quinley with the NGO Fortify Rights.
Prominent Rohingya activist Tun Khin called the joint exercises “shocking”.
“Just weeks after the USA designates the head of the military as responsible for gross human rights violations, they are working together with that same military.”