21 January 2022

TotalEnergies has told a rights group that it backs the imposition of sanctions on its payments to Myanmar's junta from gas operations in the country and that it has asked the French government to put in place a legal framework for sanctions.

The French energy giant's gas venture is one of the top sources of income for the junta and, along with other global companies, it has faced pressure from rights groups and a shadow civilian government to curb payments since the army seized power.

In the transcript of the letter to Human Rights Watch dated Jan. 18, TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said talks had taken place with French and U.S. authorities about targeted sanctions.

"TotalEnergies will not only comply with any sanction decision from the European or American authorities but also supports the implementation of such targeted sanctions," read the letter published by the rights group.

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