Myanmar state-run gaming project Kayin leads to officials being sanctioned
Myanmar is in the midst of an unofficial civil war which is rooted in the elimination of gambling elements from the country. The United States, Britain and other countries issued statements on the ongoing conflict and imposed sanctions on two senior officials also linked to a major gambling company.
Colonel Saw Chit Thu, leader of the junta-dependent Myanmar Border Guard Force (BGF), was slapped with British sanctions on Friday along with two others. The other two are Chinese investor She Zhijiang and Colonel Saw Min Min Oo, a key leader under Saw Chit Thu.
The sanctions relate to their alleged involvement in the recently established town of Shwe Kokko in Karen State (formerly Kayin State). The decision comes in response to serious allegations of human trafficking, forced labor and human rights abuses against the pair.
Operation against fraudulent farms
On Friday, Britain announced joint sanctions against Saw Chit Thu and others. The restrictions were introduced in response to the discovery of nine individuals and five companies involved in internet-based "fraud farms" in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. There is ample evidence that workers at these factories are victims of human trafficking.
Sanctions include asset freezes that prevent anyone in participating countries from dealing with the economic or financial resources of the sanctioned person. In this case, a travel ban is also included, preventing sanctioned individuals from traveling to or passing through participating countries.
An official British statement said Saw Chit Thu and two others were involved in Shwe Kokko's operations as accomplices or beneficiaries of human trafficking. The trio, with the assistance of others, forced their victims into slave labor, often subjecting them to torture, physical abuse and various forms of exploitation.
The United Nations estimates that as many as 120,000 people face similar forced labor conditions in Myanmar. At least 100,000 more people in Cambodia are also victims of human trafficking.
Shwe Kokko survives attempts to close it
The Shwe Kokko project is a collaboration between Chit Lin Myaing Co and Yatai International Holdings Group, a Hong Kong-registered company. Chit Lin Myaing Co is reportedly owned by BGF, with Saw Chit Thu serving as a senior manager.
Saw Chit Thu and his border guards profited handsomely from the operation, which became notorious in Southeast Asia due to its links to Chinese criminal elements. The business is also a major source of income for BGF officials, in addition to engaging in human trafficking, labor exploitation, online fraud and gambling.
Last year, Thai police arrested She Zhijiang in Bangkok. His arrest was triggered by a foreign arrest warrant charging him with operating an Internet casino.
In addition to his involvement with Shwe Kokko, he is reportedly deeply involved in several controversial ventures in other countries as well as in the Cambodian gambling industry. According to previous comments by the BGF, Shwe Kokko is still operating despite the arrest.
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Source: www.casino.org
