Canada slaps sanctions on Myanmar military leaders over Rohingya crisis

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says seven Myanmar military leaders have been added to Canada’s sanctions list for their role in the Rohingya crisis.

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Freeland says the sanctions are a result of the significant role played by senior military officials in the brutal violence and persecution against the Rohingya communities in Myanmar, which has forced more than 720,000 of them to flee their homes.

WATCH: Freeland says money committed Rohingya crisis is commensurate to size of the crisis

2:54 Freeland: Money committed Rohingya crisis is commensurate to size of the crisis

The same individuals have also been placed under sanctions by the European Union.

Under Canadian law, the sanctions freeze the assets of the people involved and prohibit most business dealings with them.

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Canada earlier announced sanctions against Maj.-Gen. Maung Maung Soe, who was described as a senior officer who played a significant role in the Rohingya persecutions.

Canada has also been contributing to relief efforts to help refugees who have fled persecution in Myanmar.