Brussels: The European Union on Thursday extended its sanctions against the Myanmar regime following the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, slapping a visa ban and asset freeze on members of the judiciary.
The 27 EU nations also widened their existing assets freeze to cover all businesses owned and controlled by members of the regime and their associates.
The moves were taken "in reaction to the verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and given the gravity of the violation of her fundamental rights," the European Council said in a written statement approved by all 27 EU capitals.
Under the new restrictive measures "members of the judiciary responsible for the verdict are added to the existing list of persons and entities subject to a travel ban and to an assets freeze," the statement said.
The move comes after Tuesday`s conviction of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Suu Kyi and an American man who swam to the lakeside home where she was already under house arrest.
Myanmar has faced international outrage since junta leader Than Shwe ordered that Suu Kyi should remain under house arrest for another 18 months, after commuting a three-year jail term.
Also convicted along with Suu Kyi was US citizen John Yettaw, who triggered her trial with his bizarre swimming stunt and was sentenced to seven years hard labour.
Bureau Report
