The Australian government has confirmed it is considering expanding sanctions against military figures in Myanmar, amid concerns the situation in the country is “highly volatile” and deteriorating.
Ridwaan Jadwat, a Dfat official, tells Senate estimates nation-wide protests and civil disobedience continues to grow, and the response from the military is increasingly violent.
At least 250 people have been killed and some 2300 arrested, he adds.
Asked if Australia is considering additional targeted sanctions, the foreign minister, Marise Payne, says:
“We have five people listed currently … and I am continuing to take advice on that and reviewing that with colleagues.”
Payne is unable to give a timeframe of when she’s likely to finish that review of sanctions, saying the issues are “very dynamic”.
“It is an important matter, I take it seriously and undertake to engage appropriately with the committee on that.”
On the situation more broadly, Payne says has been working with Asean and others “to identify possible paths forward”. She says she also spoke with the UN secretary general last week.
“There is no clear path, Senator, in relation to how to work with with partners to address the impacts of the coup and how to engage with the leaders of the regime, if and how that is appropriate and what form that would take.”
Penny Wong notes that the minister has recognised the situation as a coup, and asks why Payne used the phrase “the incoming government in Myanmar” in an interview with the ABC’s Sabra Lane on 9 February.
Payne replies: “I used the wrong word, Senator.”
