Singapore has labored to forestall the circulate of arms into Myanmar: MFA in response to UN professional
SINGAPORE: Singapore has labored to forestall the circulate of arms into Myanmar, the Ministry of Overseas Affairs (MFA) mentioned in response to a United Nations (UN) professional who reported that entities within the nation present "important provides" to the junta's weapon factories.
An MFA spokesperson mentioned on Friday (Might 19) that Singapore has taken a “principled place” in opposition to the Myanmar army’s use of deadly drive in opposition to unarmed civilians.
This got here after a report printed on Wednesday by UN Particular Rapporteur Tom Andrews, which mentioned the junta has imported a minimum of US$1 billion in arms and uncooked supplies to fabricate weapons because it carried out a coup in February 2021.
About US$254 million of provides have been shipped from dozens of entities in Singapore to the Myanmar army from February 2021 to December 2022, mentioned Mr Andrews, including that Singapore banks have additionally been used “extensively” by arms sellers.
He additionally mentioned he supplied, in early March this yr, detailed findings to the Singapore authorities about arms shipments from Singapore-based entities to Myanmar. The knowledge included names of greater than 45 entities in addition to the objects that have been shipped and the approximate worth of the objects.
Mr Andrews mentioned he determined to not record the names of the entities in his report, with a purpose to permit time for the Singapore authorities and different UN member states to take motion in opposition to them.
“We admire the Particular Rapporteur’s efforts to offer data to assist Singapore’s investigations into whether or not any offences have been dedicated beneath Singapore legislation. Singapore won’t hesitate to take motion in opposition to any particular person or entity which contravenes our legal guidelines,” mentioned MFA on Friday.
“Within the meantime, the Singapore authorities stays dedicated to offering humanitarian help to assist the individuals of Myanmar. We’ll proceed to work with our fellow ASEAN member states and the United Nations to facilitate peace and nationwide reconciliation in Myanmar.”
In his report, Mr Andrews famous that there have been no indications the Singapore authorities has accredited or is concerned within the cargo of arms and supplies to the Myanmar army.
However he urged the federal government to overview commerce with Myanmar and “act decisively" on the entities utilizing Singapore as a base from which to ship arms, spare components, manufacturing tools and uncooked supplies to the junta.
“If the Singapore authorities have been to cease all shipments and facilitation of arms and related supplies to the Myanmar army from its jurisdiction, the impression on the junta’s skill to commit struggle crimes can be considerably disrupted,” he added.
MFA mentioned Singapore doesn’t authorise the switch of dual-use objects which have been assessed to have potential army utility to Myanmar, the place there’s a severe threat that they could be used to inflict violence in opposition to unarmed civilians.
Myanmar has seen widespread violence between troopers and rebels for the reason that coup in February 2021. Greater than 2,000 individuals have been killed, in accordance with native monitoring teams.
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