Myanmar’s Special Envoy to the UN

Sanctions against Myanmar’s military must tighten as the regime escalates violence on the ground, the country’s special envoy to the United Nations told CNBC this week.

“We immediately need targeted, coordinated and tougher international sanctions, both economically and diplomatically,” said Dr Sasa.

Beyond sanctioning sanctions, the UN Security Council must also send a “unified and strong message” to end this “crime against humanity” in Myanmar, he said.

The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since the military seized power from a democratically elected government on February 1. Thousands of people took to the streets to protest the coup for weeks, and more than 500 died, according to the Assistance Association advocacy group for political prisoners.

Countries around the world have condemned the violence, while the United States and Europe have sanctioned individuals or companies linked to the military.

Sasa also called on Russia and China to end arms sales to the Burmese military.

“It is very clear that they should stop selling arms to Burmese military generals,” he told CNBC “Street Signs Asia” on Tuesday.

“What they are doing is terrorizing 54 million … Burmese every day, every moment, every second,” he said.

He said Moscow and Beijing, which have close ties to the junta, have the power to stop the violence.

“It’s up to them to decide right now,” Sasa said. Otherwise, it is a “shame” for both countries, the international community and the UN Security Council, he said.

China and Russia, along with India and Vietnam, have helped soften the UNSC’s criticism of the military regime. They called for a UNSC statement to remove references to a coup and the threat of further action.

“History will judge us harshly, there is no doubt about it,” he added. “They have to make decisions. They will have to live with the decision they make.”

The council is meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

When asked why he thought the military would give in to pressure, Sasa said international sanctions would help cut income.

He said the military was taking money from national companies to buy bullets and weapons, and economic restrictions would mean less money, fewer weapons and fewer civilian deaths.

Sasa also said that a national unity government will be formed in the coming days and “will not rest” until democracy and freedom are restored in Myanmar.

“We will work hard bilaterally. We will work very closely with our friends and (allies) around the world,” he said, adding that there will be “no future” for the generals. military when the country achieves democracy.