The UK government has imposed sanctions on senior generals in the Myanmar administration following the military coup.
The Foreign Office has also announced new work to stop UK businesses working with Myanmar’s military and measures to ensure aid is not diverted to the junta.
“The UK condemns the military coup and the arbitrary detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures,” Dominic Raab, the British foreign secretary, said.
“We, alongside our international allies will hold the Myanmar military to account for their violations of human rights and pursue justice for the Myanmar people.”
Earlier this month, Myanmar’s elected leader Ms Suu Kyi and members of her government were detained as the military took over in a coup.
The UK has repeatedly called for the release of Ms Suu Kyi, who has been kept under house arrest and charged with minor offences relating to the alleged importation of walkie-talkies without the proper licence and for shaking hands during the coronavirus pandemic.
The sanctions will be imposed on defence minister General Mya Tun Oo, home affairs minister Lt General Soe Htut and deputy home affairs minister Lt General Than Hlaing.
It comes a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson repeated his call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and called the charges brought against her “fabricated.”
Mr Johnson tweeted: “New charges against Aung San Suu Kyi fabricated by the Myanmar military are a clear violation of her human rights.
“We stand with the people of Myanmar and will ensure those responsible for this coup are held to account.”
Ms Suu Kyi has been charged with violating Article 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law, which has been used to prosecute people who have broken coronavirus restrictions.
She had already been charged with possessing walkie-talkies that were imported without being registered.
Protesters have turned out in droves since the coup was carried out, defying an order banning gatherings of five or more people to demand the return of democracy.
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