Recently, word of several false accusations about the NUG have reached my ears coming from the well-meaning international diplomatic community. The rumours assert that the National Unity Government (NUG) is engaged in extrajudicial killings, and, to that end, has sent a “hit list” of political enemies to the NUG-allied resistance groups. Such allegations are dangerously false. They are utterly spurious lies spread by the enemies of democracy to paint the NUG as no better than the military. Everyone needs to understand that spreading and validating knowingly false gossip such as this not only muddies the political waters, but it disrespects the thousands of Myanmar people who have taken up the struggle for freedom and democracy and have, in the face of unimaginable barbarity and cruelty, comported themselves with the utmost honour and professionalism. Furthermore, every time these lies are spoken they are gifts to the military, especially as they, no doubt, concocted and spread them in the first place. Make no mistake, while such mendacious whispers may seem inconsequential, this is the exact same propagandist tactic employed by the military to great success in the 2016-18 Rohingya genocide, fabricating false allegations against an entire race and painting a picture of a civilian population beset by terrorists to hide a 21st century genocide. 

The NUG takes pride in its values which are, by nature, the shared values of the free and democratic Myanmar people and often the values of its peers throughout democratic countries and institutions like the UN. The NUG does not, has not, and will not engage in the same barbarity and sadism as the military. The NUG does not have a so-called “hit list” either public or private. It has always been the position of the NUG that those who are responsible for this crisis must be apprehended and face fair and open trials in accordance with the law. Extrajudicial killings, assassinations, and terrorist attacks strike at the very heart of law and justice and will never be tolerated by the NUG.

It is true that our country is being ravaged by war. Through no choice of our own, we have been driven to defend ourselves from a merciless, murderous enemy. Our brave citizens took it upon themselves to organise and train to give themselves a better chance at survival and, ultimately, victory. Their fight is just, and in this fight, we support them. However, the NUG does not and cannot tolerate a “victory at all costs” mentality. The ends do not always justify the means. This is the entire reason the NUG wrote and published the Code of Conduct (CoC) by which all PDF groups must abide. This code prohibits in the strongest terms all violations of internationally recognised rules of engagement. All crimes against civilians under all circumstances are prohibited. Killings not carried out in immediate self defence are also violations of the code, as are (pursuant to the Geneva Conventions) all forms of mistreatment of prisoners. Although the military’s brutalisation and torture of prisoners, detainees, and anyone in their way is well documented, the resistance forces, by contrast, have shown themselves to treat prisoners with care and respect. I point to a notable case in Kayah state recently where the lawful and respectful treatment of a prisoner-of-war even during interrogation was documented on video.

Let us be clear. There is no room for equivocation. The NUG and the military are incomparable. To suggest that the NUG is guilty of these allegations is to spread the military’s propaganda for them, and an attempt to prolong the military’s war of terror. I therefore urge everyone in the international diplomatic, political, academic, and journalistic communities: do not spread these malicious rumours. Do not amplify allegations with no evidence or witnesses. Do not validate the military’s lies. Hold yourself to a higher standard, as the NUG does.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of Ministry of International Cooperation
Spoke Person of Nation Unity Government
Former Special Envoy to United Nations