Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/378 of 20 February 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/378of 20 February 2023implementing Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/BurmaTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 of 2 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma and repealing Regulation (EC) No 194/2008OJ L 121, 3.5.2013, p. 1., and in particular Article 4i thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 2 May 2013, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 401/2013.(2)On 25 July 2022, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the "High Representative") issued a declaration on behalf of the Union strongly condemning the execution of pro-democracy and opposition leaders in Myanmar/Burma. The High Representative also declared that these politically motivated executions represent yet another step towards the complete dismantling of the rule of law and a further blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar/Burma.(3)The Union is deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications. The Union condemns the continuing grave human rights violations including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, the continued persecution of civil society, human rights defenders and journalists, and attacks on the civilian population, including ethnic and religious minorities by the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw).(4)In the absence of any swift progress in the situation in Myanmar/Burma, the Union expressed several times its readiness to adopt further restrictive measures against those responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law and for the serious human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma.(5)In view of the continuing grave situation in Myanmar/Burma, nine persons and seven entities should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 401/2013.(6)Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: