Human rights group opposes lifting of Myanmar sanctions
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The European Union's anticipated lifting of all economic sanctions on Myanmar Monday is "premature" in light of the government's alleged abuses, Human Rights Watch said.
An EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg is expected to announce the end of sanctions apart from the ban on arms sales.
Human Rights Watch published a report Monday documenting government involvement in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state last year.
"That state is still under martial law so therefore the issue of does Myanmar President Thein Sein control the military is an important one, and one that should be taken into consideration when people start talking about lifting sanctions," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.//DPA
