Burmese UN envoy calls for international support for democracy in Myanmar

The Burmese UN envoy says he’s intent on seeking international support for democracy in his country. Kyaw Moe Tun was speaking to Japanese news agency NHK at the UN offices in New York. He was made UN envoy by the former Burmese government, which was ousted in a military coup in February, despite having been democratically elected.

According to a Thai PBS World report, he continues to be seen as representing Myanmar as the UN Credentials Committee has not made a decision on future representation. The UN envoy has declared that if he remains in the position, he wants to focus on representing the people of Myanmar and their struggle for democracy in the face of military oppression.

“Please do understand the situation Myanmar is facing. So, that is what I’d like to appeal to the international community to please understand the people of Myanmar. We would like to be our own defence, people’s defence revolution against the military.”

The ambassador has vowed to continue appealing for the lives of innocent Burmese citizens, calling for an end to the military coup, and the restoration of democracy in his country. He says over 1,100 civilians have been killed by the Burmese military regime and has urged the international community to understand calls from pro-democracy forces in Myanmar encouraging an uprising against military rule.

Thai PBS World reports that security around the UN envoy has been tightened since the discovery of an assassination plot against him last August, which is being investigated by law enforcement officials in the US.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World