Soe Htut

Myanmar

1960-03-29

Mandalay, Myanmar

Male

EU

Lieutenant General Soe Htut was a member of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and a member of the State Administrative Council (SAC) led by Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing. On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw), led by Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, staged a coup in Myanmar/Burma by setting aside the results of the elections held on 8 November 2020 and by overthrowing the democratically elected government. As part of the coup, Vice-President Myint Swe, functioning as Acting President, declared a state of emergency on 1 February 2021 and transferred the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the state to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. On 2 February 2021, the SAC was established to exercise those powers, preventing the democratically elected government from fulfilling its mandate. Soe Htut was appointed Minister for Home Affairs on 1 February 2021. Soe Htut participated in the meeting of the National Defence and Security Committee (NDSC) on 31 January 2022, which extended the state of emergency until 31 July 2022. Through that decision and by being a member of SAC, his activities and policies undermine democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar/Burma. The Minister for Home Affairs is responsible for the Myanmar Police Force, Fire Service and Prison Service. Functions of the Ministry for Home Affairs encompass State Security and Law and Order. In that capacity, Lieutenant General Soe Htut is responsible for serious human rights violations committed by the Myanmar Police since the military coup of 1 February 2021, including killing of civilians and unarmed protesters, violations of freedom of association and peaceful assembly, arbitrary arrests and detention of opposition leaders and peaceful protesters and violations of freedom of expression. Additionally, as a member of the SAC, Lieutenant General Soe Htut has been directly involved in and responsible for decision-making concerning state functions and is therefore responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar/Burma. He is also directly responsible for the repressive decisions taken by the SAC, including legislation that violates human rights and limits freedoms of citizens of Myanmar/Burma, and for the serious human rights violations committed by the Myanmar security forces.

CH

article 1 (Financial sanctions) and art. 3 (Travelban)

2021-07-01

CH

Ordinance of 17 October 2018 on measures against Myanmar (SR 946.231.157.5)

Switzerland country specific

Myanmar

Asset freeze, Travel ban

Switzerland imposes these sanctions under the Ordinance of 17 October 2018 on measures against Myanmar (SR 946.231.157.5). The measures follow the sanctions adopted by the European Union.