My warmest greetings to all. I am pleased to be able to address you today to discuss a very important topic, that of recognition in the United Nations. 

When the military coup leader Min Aung Hlaing forcefully seized power on February 1st of this year, he showed his contempt for democracy and the will of the Myanmar people. But at the same time, he also revealed his ignorance. The Myanmar people yearn for freedom, they demand the right to choose their own leaders and tread their own path. The people of Myanmar have known over half a century of brutal repression and exploitation, and for a brief shining moment, they knew freedom. Although dark days are upon us, the National Unity Government (NUG) and the people of Myanmar will not rest until we achieve freedom and democracy again and forever.

The NUG is the first government of its kind in the history of Myanmar. Elected law makers, politicians, ethnic armed groups, and various political parties have all come together to build this historic National Unity Government of Myanmar according to the democratic votes of the people of Myanmar in the November elections of 2020. The NUG exists solely by the will of the Myanmar people. We are the people’s government, chosen by the people, for the people, and comprised of the people. This is the chord on which the symphony of the New Myanmar will be composed. This is the true nature of democracy and the power of the people. Genuine, earnest people who long not for riches and fame but only for freedom, people who no longer want to sleep and wake in fear amid the shots and explosions of the military’s tools of death, people who want a place to call home where their children can grow up free from oppression, abuse, and terror. In short, the Myanmar people, our people, the people I and all of my colleague are proud and humbled to represent.

Sadly, the international community is all too often unaware of the enmity between the people of Myanmar, and the genocidal military junta who will accept nothing less than servile compliance. Too often foreign governments are under the misapprehension that the military junta is the legitimate government of Myanmar, or don’t care whether or not it’s true. Since the coup in February, the military junta has negotiated lucrative foreign investment deals, placed large purchases of military materiel from foreign powers, and engaged in political discussions with foreign government ministers in their guise as a legitimate government.

While the NUG has been formally recognized by some in the international community, and established de facto diplomatic relations with many more countries, until the NUG is recognized as the sole legitimate government by the international community as a whole, other nations will be free to continue their dealings with the brutal military regime. If the military junta continues to receive economic, political, and military aid from foreign powers, there is a very real fear that the conflict will continue with no end in sight. It is for this reason that the NUG must be recognized internationally as the sole legitimate government of Myanmar.

To this end, on behalf of the NUG, I am privileged to announce our formal support for the outstanding work being done by the Coalition for the Recognition of the NUG (CRNUG). The CRNUG is a coalition of NGO’s from Japan to Ireland to countless counties in between, unified by their desire to bring an end to the needless suffering of the Myanmar people through diplomatic peaceful means. They have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the realities in Myanmar, and bring public and political support for the NUG’s recognition as the sole legitimate elected government of Myanmar. Through their unflagging and wide reaching efforts, the NUG hopes to be able to strengthen its case to the UN.

We intend to demonstrate on the world stage that despite the military’s lies and bold statements, they do not, and will never, control the Myanmar people. The military and their supporters represent a small but violent minority of Myanmar, but the majority, the overwhelming majority of Myanmar, from villages to city dwellers, from local governments to state governments, people of all walks of life, all race, all religions, and the entire political spectrum stand with the NUG, stand with democracy, stand with freedom; and in this stand, we will not give an inch to tyranny. We will show that Myanmar democracy is permanent. Never again will the people allow a dictatorship. The NUG exists by the will of the people, to serve the will of the people. The NUG welcomes, nay, demands that the free and fair democratic elections, overseen by unbiased representatives of the local and international community, be respected by the international community. We make it known that Myanmar does not want to recede into isolation. Does not want to shirk the international community. The NUG and the people of Myanmar want to see Myanmar take her rightful place on the world stage, be a true and valued member of the international community, and take on all the responsibilities and duties that come with this important privilege.

I continue to appeal to all nations around the globe to join with us, and support us, the people and rightfully elected National Unity Government of Myanmar, and help us end this cruel and unlawful military junta occupation. We especially urge all nations to completely cease any and all engagement with the Military and all its entities and cronies, both directly and indirectly, and put even tougher coordinated, targeted and more widespread sanctions both diplomatically and economically. Every moment that these tougher measures are delayed, more and more lives are lost, and thousands are displaced from their homes in Myanmar, losing everything they own. We need your help to stop this now before more innocent lives are lost, and together build a true federal democratic union for ALL the people of Myanmar.

Thank you to all who are strongly standing with the 54 million brave people of Myanmar in this darkest time in the history of our nation. The recognition of our voice, and your support, will ensure that we remain as your faithful allies, friends, and economic partners for generations to come.

Sincerely,

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