Jonathan, Narinjara News, 12 March 2025

Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has praised Switzerland's choice to implement sanctions on the junta-run Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE). JFM is urging Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia to emulate Switzerland's actions and implement sanctions on MOGE too.

Switzerland's choice to penalize MOGE comes after the European Union (EU) took similar measures against the firm on February 21, 2022.

The sanctions were imposed following pressure from Justice For Myanmar (JFM), which submitted a freedom of information request, released a press announcement on March 7, and in response to reports from Tages-Anzeiger.

Switzerland does not enforce one-sided sanctions. Rather, it adheres to global sanctions established by the EU, United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) pursuant to the Embargo Act.

The sanctions imposed on MOGE are crucial in sealing a gap that the junta might exploit to raise money from Myanmar's oil and gas sector. These funds have been utilized to support the junta's continuous campaign of violence and terror against the citizens of Myanmar.

The largest source of foreign-currency revenue for the junta is the oil and gas industry.

"The junta utilizes gas income to acquire weapons and aviation fuel required to maintain its indiscriminate airstrikes and shelling of civilians, constituting international crimes. We call on Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia to take swift action and implement sanctions on MOGE, following Switzerland's example," stated Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for Justice For Myanmar.

According to JFM, the junta has utilized its oil and gas earnings to acquire weapons, aviation fuel, and other essential supplies necessary for its ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In the three months prior to June 2023, Myanmar's exports of natural gas were worth US$841.7 million, based on the junta's data.

On March 23, 2024, JFM filed a freedom of information request with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), requesting "all documents created for the Federal Council regarding the advisability of Switzerland imposing sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)."

The inquiry disclosed that Switzerland had previously opted not to impose sanctions on MOGE to prevent alterations to Swiss law for enacting an exemption in EU sanctions concerning the decommissioning of oil and gas fields.

Historically, Swiss banks have connections to Myanmar's government-owned banks.

A report from 2018 disclosed that the Myanma Foreign Trade Bank, now under junta control, which MOGE utilizes for global transactions, maintained correspondent banking ties with Swiss banks.

Swiss insurance firms have also participated in Myanmar's oil and gas industry. In 2011, a leaked document shared with JFM revealed that Infrassure, a Switzerland-based company, was chosen as the reinsurer for the China-Myanmar gas pipeline.

"We applaud Switzerland's choice to impose sanctions on MOGE, in accordance with EU measures against Myanmar. This addresses a significant gap in EU sanctions and conveys a message of support for the people of Myanmar, who have been fighting for democracy against a harsh regime for over four years," stated Yadanar Maung, spokesperson for Justice For Myanmar.