To Permanent Representatives of Member States of the UN General Assembly
10 September 2021
Open Letter in Support of Continuing Recognition of Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun as Myanmar’s Permanent Representative at the UN General Assembly
Excellencies,
We, the undersigned, representing a broad movement of 358 Myanmar and international civil society organizations, urge you to ensure that the current Permanent Representative (PR) of Myanmar to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, retains his position as Myanmar’s representative to the UN for the upcoming 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled to begin on 14 September 2021.
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun is the incumbent representative of Myanmar and he represented Myanmar throughout the 75th session of the UNGA after his credentials were accepted by the Credentials Committee in November 2020 and approved by the UNGA on 1 December (A/RES/75/19). He was appointed as Myanmar’s PR to the UN by the democratically elected government of Myanmar, which had held office since 2016. His credentials were renewed by the current duly elected government of Myanmar.
The new government, which won in a free, fair and credible general election in November 2020, was due to be formed in February 2021 and take office in March. The general election, which was observed by accredited international election monitoring bodies including the Asian Network for Free Elections and the Carter Center, certified that the election reflected the will of the people of Myanmar. However, on 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military launched a coup, physically prevented the scheduled session of the new parliament and forcibly detained elected members of Parliaments.
Since then, massive and broad anti-coup protests have continued throughout the country. The junta’s attempt to take control of Myanmar by force have been resisted by these ongoing protests, boycotts, strikes and coordinated civil disobedience movements by civil servants, private sector employees and civilians. Over 400,000 civil servants have been on strike against the junta since February. Ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), who have also opposed the coup, continue to exercise control over extensive territories in Myanmar’s borderlands.
In its effort to assert control, the military has killed, arbitrarily detained, raped, tortured, and looted homes and villages. Since February, the junta has killed 1,058 people, including at least 75 children and arrested 7,992. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has stated that these heinous tactics designed to instill terror in the population amount to crimes under international law, including crimes against humanity. Despite the junta’s brutal campaign of terror and repression, the people continue to resist, and the coup has totally failed.
On 26 February, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, during an informal meeting of the UNGA, unequivocally denounced the 1 February attempted military coup calling on states not to recognize or legitimize the military junta. Since then, he has continued to represent Myanmar on behalf of the National Unity Government (NUG) formed on 16 April 2021 by elected members of parliament, representatives of various ethnic groups and civil society leaders. The NUG has established its cabinet with respective ministries and continues to provide valuable services to the people of Myanmar, including in handling the COVID-19 crisis and overseeing the provision of humanitarian aid.
In June, the UNGA in its resolution on Myanmar (A/RES/75/287) condemned in the strongest terms “the excessive and lethal violence by the Myanmar armed forces since 1 February 2021.” It further called on the military to “respect the will of the people as freely expressed by the results of the general election of 8 November 2020,” and restore democracy under a fully inclusive civilian government that is representative of the will of the people of Myanmar. The resolution also expressed concern “at the persistent impunity for crimes committed by the Myanmar armed forces,” as the ongoing conflicts in ethnic areas, including in Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Rakhine, Shan and southern Chin states between EAOs and the Myanmar military have intensified since the coup, displacing over 230,000 people.
Such a political expression of condemnation of the coup by UN Member States is significant. Over the past three decades, only three other UNGA resolutions have condemned a military coup: Haiti (1991), Burundi (1993), and Honduras (2009). The resolution passed with overwhelming support with 119 members in favor to 1 against (Belarus) and 36 abstentions. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun as the representative, Myanmar voted in favor of the resolution. Since the attempted coup, the Ambassador has provided a crucial voice at the UN for Myanmar’s democratically-elected government and people.
Notably, the presidential statement by the UN Security Council on 10 March 2021 also expressed deep concern regarding the situation in Myanmar and referred to those members of parliament arbitrarily detained by the junta as the “members of the Government.” These statements by the UNGA and the Security Council are a clear denunciation by the international community that the actions taken by the junta are contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Therefore, we urge the Credentials Committee to recommend for the UNGA to accept the credentials of Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun for the 76th session of the UNGA and ensure he retains his seat as the representative of Myanmar. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun is the appointee of the representatives of Myanmar, duly elected by the people. A recommendation that his credentials be accepted would be to respect the will of the people of Myanmar, expressed overwhelmingly during recent elections, and be consistent with the June 2021 UNGA resolution on Myanmar and statements by the Security Council.[ref]As stated in UNGA resolution (A/RES/396(v))) when there is a disputed claim to the government entitled to represent a Member State in the UN, the question “should be considered in light of the Purposes and Principles of the Charter.” For the reasons we have stated in this open letter, it is imperative that UNGA retains the Ambassador’s accreditation as the PR of Myanmar as it will ensure that human rights and fundamental freedoms prevail in Myanmar, in clear affirmation of the UN’s own principles and Charter.[/ref]
We also urge the Credentials Committee to outrightly dismiss the proposed credentials of the representative of the illegitimate military junta. The military junta has no democratic legitimacy: it is unable to establish government functions, it does not have effective control over the territory of Myanmar, and it is a persistent perpetrator of international crimes. Any support for a junta-backed representative, would constitute a repudiation of the June 2021 UNGA resolution and principles of equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the UN Charter and will only further embolden the military that has terrorized the country since its attempted coup.
Lastly, we would also like to address the possibility of Myanmar’s seat at the UNGA being left vacant with a deferral of the decision on accrediting a representative of Myanmar, or any other deal that would silence Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun. Myanmar’s participation in the UNGA is part of “important rights and privileges of membership.” Leaving an empty seat at the UN, or silencing the Ambassador, would mean that this right would be suspended due to the decision of the credentials process and would be contrary to the Purposes and Principles as set out in Article 1 and 2 of the Charter. In addition, it would dismiss the overwhelming outcome of Myanmar’s democratic elections that were held in 2020, and would lend weight to the junta’s violent and unlawful attempt to seize power.
We therefore urge members of the UNGA to retain Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun’s accreditation as the Permanent Representative of Myanmar and call on your support in this matter.
We hope for a favorable response to this appeal. Please accept assurances of our highest consideration.
Sincerely,
Signed by:
358 Myanmar and international civil society organizations
- 8888 Generation (New Zealand)
- Action Committee for Democracy Development
- Activists group for Human Rights ‘BARAM’
- Advocates for Public Interest Law
- Airavati Organisation
- Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party, Philippines
- All Arakan Students and Youths Congress
- Alternative Solutions for Rural Communities (ASORCOM)
- ALTSEAN-Burma
- America Rohingya Justice Network
- American Baptist Churches USA
- Ananda Data
- Anti Dictatorship in Burma-DC Metropolitan Area
- Arakan Institute for Peace and Development
- Arakan Rohingya Union
- ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights
- ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
- Asia Center
- Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)
- Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
- Asian Companions Against Brutality
- Asian Dignity Initiative
- Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
- Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
- Association for Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP)
- Association of Women for Awareness & Motivation (AWAM)
- Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization
- Auckland Kachin Community Inc.
- Auckland Zomi Community
- Aung Lan Phyu
- Australia Karen Organisation
- Backpack Health Workers Team
- Balaod Mindanaw
- Baptist World Alliance
- Better World
- Boat People SOS
- BOOM Womyn
- Boston Free Burma
- Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital Branch of KHMU
- Buddhist Ecological Contents Institute
- Buddhist Solidarity for Reform
- Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP -Solidarity of Filipino Workers), Philippines
- Burma Action Ireland
- Burma Campaign UK
- Burma Human Rights Network
- Burma Medical Association
- Burma Monitor (Research and Monitoring)
- Burma Task Force
- Burmese American Millennials
- Burmese Democratic Forces
- Burmese Muslim Association
- Burmese Women’s Union
- Bytes for All
- Calgary Karen Community Association (CKCA)
- Campaign for a New Myanmar
- Carmelite Missionary
- Center for Freedom of Information
- Center for Military Human Rights Korea
- Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development, Chaing Mai University
- Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN) – Philippines
- Central European Institute of Asian Studies
- CHANGJAK21
- Chin Community of Auckland
- Chin Community of USA-DC Area
- Chin Family Group
- Chin Leaders of Tomorrow (CLT)
- Christian Freedom International
- Christian Solidarity Worldwide
- Citizens Life & Environment Conference
- Civil Rights Defenders (CRD)
- Civil Society Forum for Peace (CSFoP)
- Climate Change Working Group
- CMCMC
- Coalition to Abolish Modern-day Slavery in Asia (CAMSA)
- Colors Rainbow
- Commission on JPIC, Korea Province, Society of Jesus
- Committee of Justice, Peace and Ecology of the Catholic Religious Men in Korea
- Community Organizations Network for Education & Training
- Community Resource Center (CRC)
- Community Resource Centre
- Critic CCC
- Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), Thailand
- CRPH/NUG Supporters (Austria)
- DEEKU, the Karenni Community
- Democracy for Ethnic Minorities Organization
- Democracy for Myanmar – Working Group (NZ)
- Democracy, Peace and Women’s Organization – DPW
- Edmonton Karen Community Youth Organization
- ETOs Watch Coalition
- European Karen Network (EKN)
- Federal Myanmar Benevolence Group (NZ)
- Finland Karen Culture Association
- Food Security Working Group
- Fortify Rights
- ForumCiv
- Free Burma Action Bay/ USA/ Global
- Free Burma Campaign (South Africa)
- Free Myanmar Campaign USA
- Freedom and Labor Action Group
- Freedom, Justice, Equality for Myanmar
- Friends Against Dictatorship (FAD)
- Future Light Center
- Future Thanlwin
- Ganghwa People’s Network (GHPN)
- Generation Wave
- German Solidarity with Myanmar Democracy
- Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
- Global Justice Center
- Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD)
- Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Southeast Asia (GPPAC-SEA)
- Globe International Center
- Green Party Korea
- Green Peasant Institute
- Greendoor
- GZO Peace Institute – Philippines
- Hakha Thar Nubu
- Happy Class Meditation Community
- Human & Welfare Books
- Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF), Thailand
- Human Rights Foundation of Monland
- Hyungmyung Foundation
- HyunJang Academy
- In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND)
- INCHEON NGO NETWORK
- Incheon Regional Office of KHMU
- Incorporated Organization Shilcheon Bulgyo
- Info Birmanie
- Initiatives for International Dialogue
- Institute for Asian Democracy
- Institute of Korean Feminist Integral Studies for Faith
- Inter Pares
- International Campaign for the Rohingya
- International Christian Concern
- International Federation for Hurman Rights (FIDH)
- International Migrants Cultural Institute
- International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
- Inter-religious Climate and Ecology Network
- Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights
- JASS Southeast Asia
- Jeju Peace Human Rights Institute WHAT
- Jesuit Research Center for Advocacy and Solidarity
- Jesusalgi
- Joint Countermeasures Committee for Freedom of Expression and Press Repression
- JPIC Commission in The Association of Major Superiors of Women Religious in KOREA
- JPIC-Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
- Justice for All
- Kachin Alliance
- Kachin National Organization USA
- Kachin Peace Network (KPN)
- Kachin Refugee Committee (KRC)
- Kachin State Women Network (KSWN)
- Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
- Kansas Karenni Community
- Karapatan Alliance Philippines
- Karen American Association of Wisconsin
- Karen Association of Huron, South Dakota
- Karen Community Association UK
- Karen Community in Norway (KCN)
- Karen Community of Canada (KCC)
- Karen Community of Czech Republic
- Karen Community of Finland
- Karen Community of Hamilton
- Karen Community of Iowa
- Karen Community of Ireland
- Karen Community of Israel
- Karen Community of Kansas City (KS & MO)
- Karen Community of Kitchener & Waterloo
- Karen Community of Leamington
- Karen Community of Lethbridge
- Karen Community of London
- Karen Community of Minnesota
- Karen Community of Ottawa
- Karen Community of Regina
- Karen Community of Saskatoon
- Karen Community of Thunderbay
- Karen Community of Toronto
- Karen Community of Windsor
- Karen Community of Winnipeg
- Karen Community Society of British Columbia (KCSBC)
- Karen Environmental and Social Action Network
- Karen Human Rights Group
- Karen Organization of America
- Karen Peace Support Network
- Karen Rivers Watch
- Karen Swedish Community (KSC)
- Karen Thai Group
- Karen Women’s Organization
- Karen Youth Networks
- Karen Youth of Norway
- Karen Youth of Toronto
- Karen Youth Organization
- Karenni American Association (KnA)
- Karenni Civil Society Network
- Karenni Community of Bowling Green (KY)
- Karenni Community of Des Moines (IA)
- Karenni Community of Georgia
- Karenni Community of Indianapolis
- Karenni Community of Massachusetts
- Karenni Community of Minnesota
- Karenni Community of Missouri
- Karenni Community of New York
- Karenni Community of North Carolina
- Karenni Community of Portland, OR
- Karenni Community of Taxes
- Karenni Community of Wisconsin
- Karenni Human Rights Group
- Karenni National Women’s Organization
- Karenni Society New Zealand
- Karenni Society of Minnesota (NE)
- Karenni-American Catholic Association
- Kaung Rwai
- Kayaw Women Association
- Keng Tung Youth
- KijamiiTable
- Korea Democracy Foundation
- Korea Institute for Religious Freedom
- Korea Karen Organization
- Korea Karen Youth Organization
- Korea Migrants Friendship Solidarity SHALOMHOUSE
- Korea Wetlands NGO Network (KWNN)
- Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with Rohingya
- Korean House for International Solidarity
- Korean Solidarity for Overseas Community Organization
- KPTU SEOUL
- Latsinu Women Agency
- Law and Society Trust, Sri Lanka
- Let’s Help Each Other
- Little Servants of the Holy Family (Uijeongbu Province)
- Los Angeles Rohingya Association
- Madang for Life and Peace
- Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN)
- Media Christianity
- Menrihei
- Metta Campaign Mandalay
- Migrants Trade Union
- MilkTea Alliance Philippines
- MINBYUN – Lawyers for a Democratic Society International Solidarity Committee
- Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW), Philippines
- Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute Foundation, Inc.
- Muslim of Myanmar Multi-Ethnic Consultative Committee (MMMCC)
- Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP)
- Myanmar Action Group Denmark
- Myanmar Advocacy Coalition
- Myanmar Community Austria
- Myanmar Community in the Czech Republic
- Myanmar Cultural Research Society
- Myanmar Doctors For Human Rights Network
- Myanmar Engineers – New Zealand
- Myanmar Gonye (New Zealand)
- Myanmar Helping Citizens’ Group
- Myanmar Network in KOREA
- Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State)
- Myanmar Students’ Union in New Zealand
- National Clergy Conference For Justice and Peace
- Nationalities Alliance of Burma
- NeT Organization
- Network for Advocacy Action and Women Network (Tanintharyi)
- Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma)
- Never Again Coalition
- New Bodhisattva Network
- New York City Burmese Community
- New Zealand Doctors for NUG
- New Zealand Karen Association
- New Zealand Zo Community Inc.
- No Business with Genocide
- Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica
- OFM KOREA JPIC
- Olive Organization
- Oversea Karen Organization Japan
- Overseas Mon Association, New Zealand
- Pakokku Youth Development Council (PYDC)
- Pa-O Women’s Union
- Pa-O Youth Organization
- Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM – Party of the Laboring Masses), Philippines
- Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines)
- Pax Christi Institute
- Peace Ground
- Peace Women Partners, Philippines
- Peace-Life Forum
- PEN Myanmar
- People, not profit
- People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF) – Thailand
- People’s Initiative for Development Alternatives (PIDA)
- People’s Watch
- People’s Action Against Dictator Chun Doo-hwan
- People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
- Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
- Pinagkaisang Galaw at Lakas ng Kababaihan (PIGLAS-KABABAIHAN), Philippines
- Poverty Elimination and Community Education (PEACE) Foundation
- Progressive 3.0
- Progressive Voice
- Pyithu Gonye (New Zealand)
- Refugees International
- Rights Beyond Border (RBB)
- Rock Island Karen Community
- Rohingya Welfare Organisation New Zealand
- Rvwang Community Association New Zealand
- Saferworld
- Sami Chin Women Organization
- Save and Care Organization for Ethnic Women at Border Areas
- Save Myanmar (New Zealand)
- SEA Junction
- sebasa
- Secondary School Branch in Goyang of Korea Teachers’ Union
- Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Philippines
- Seongnam City Committee of the Youth Justice Party
- Seongnam YMCA
- Shan Community (New Zealand)
- Shan MATA
- Solidarity for Another World
- Southern Youth Development Organization
- Spirit in Education Movement (SEM)
- Spring Revolution Interfaith Network
- Steppingstone
- Stop the War Coalition Philippines
- Students for Free Burma
- Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
- Sungmisan School Post-secondary
- Support the Democracy Movement in Burma
- Supporters Group for Migrant Workers Movement
- Sustainability and Participation through Education and Lifelong Learning (SPELL), Philippines
- Swedish Burma Committee
- Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
- Swedish Rohingya Association
- Synergy – Social Harmony Organization
- Ta’ang Legal Aid
- Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
- Taunggyi Youth Center
- Thai Allied Committee with Desegregated Burma Foundation (TACDB)
- Thai Volunteer Service (TVS)
- The April 9 Unification & Peace Foundation
- The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI)
- The Burmese Rohingya Association of North America
- The Burmese Rohingya Community of Georgia
- The Declaration of Global Citizens
- The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
- The Labor Union of Jogye order
- The May 18 Memorial Foundation
- The Mekong Butterfly
- The Sound of Hope
- Think Centre
- Thint Myat Lo Thu Myar
- Timor-Leste Youth and Young Journalist Peace Culture Center
- U.S Advocacy Coalition for Myanmar (USACM)
- Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA
- Union For Civil Liberty (UCL), Thailand
- Union of Karenni State Youth
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
- United States Campaign for Burma
- Victorian Myanmar Youth (VMY)
- Vocation Office of Catholic Diocese of Daejeon, South Korea
- Women Advocacy Coalition – Myanmar
- Women’s League of Burma
- Women’s Peace Network
- Wonders International
- Youth Justice Party, Gyeonggi Province Party
- Youth of KimDae-jung Foundation