Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Nations, who has refused to leave his post despite being fired after the military seized power in a coup six months ago, has alerted the world body to a “reported massacre” by the military regime. Kyaw Moe Tun tells the UN that at least 40 people, including a child, were killed in the Sagaing area in July.
According to a local monitoring organization, Myanmar has been in a crisis since the military removed the civilian leadership on February 1, launching an offensive against dissidents, killing more than 900 people.
Kyaw Moe Tun rejected the coup and put aside his military claims that he no longer represents Myanmar Coup. The United Nations still considers him a legitimate envoy.
This representative was fired by the military in February, and the next day he delivered a three-finger salute to the UN General Assembly after delivering a passionate speech calling for the return of the civilian government.
The agency reported on Wednesday that Kyaw Moe Tun sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stating that 40 bodies were found in Kani Township, Sagaing Region, northwestern Myanmar in July. General denied these allegations, and AFP stated that they could not independently verify these reports because the mobile network in the Sagaing area was cut off.
Kyaw Moe Tun claimed that around July 10, soldiers tortured and killed 16 men in a village in the town, after which 10,000 residents fled the area.
It stated that 13 more bodies were found in the days following the conflict between local combatants and security forces on July 26.
Kyaw Moe Tun added that 11 other men, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed and burned in a separate village. July 28.
In the letter, the ambassador once again called for the implementation of a global arms embargo on the military and called on the international community to carry out “emergency humanitarian intervention.”
“We cannot allow the military to continue committing such atrocities in Myanmar,” Kyaw Moe Tun told AFP.
“Now is the time for the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council, to take action.”
Kyaw Moe Tun has repeatedly called for an international intervention to help end the unrest in Myanmar. He said Wednesday that the US authorities have strengthened their security.
“It is reported that there are threats against me,” he told AFP.
I spoke with @zinmaraung1976 today to discuss efforts by the NUG and others to return Burma to the path of democracy and to combat the pandemic. We salute the courage and conviction of the people of Burma as they seek to build an inclusive, democratic future. pic.twitter.com/nL1aicK86X
“New York police and security authorities are working hard to solve this problem,” he added but did not provide detailed information on the nature of the threat.
Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Lai said on Sunday that elections will be held in August 2023 and the state of emergency will be lifted, extending the one-year schedule announced by the army a few days after taking power.
The opposition to the Burma coup and many people in the international community, including the United States, condemned this statement, saying it was a delaying tactic to prevent the country from reestablishing a democratic government.
On Wednesday, Wendy Sherman, the second-largest US diplomat, held talks with Zin Mar Aung, a government representative in exile in Myanmar. This is the first time that a senior US official and members of the Organization of National Unity have announced contact with the government The democratically elected government was ousted by the military establishment.
Read More: Myanmar unsafe for children among coup and a global pandemic
The State Department said in a statement that the two discussed efforts to get the country back on the path of democracy, including continued US support for the democracy movement.
They also discussed efforts to combat the COVID19 outbreak and humanitarian assistance.
At the same time, sporadic protests continued to take place across the country on Thursday. Social media reported a march against the army in Myaing Town, Magway Township before dawn.
Social media also showed protests in other parts of the country, including Yangon, the largest city, as well as Mandalay and Dawi.
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