Myanmar activists are calling for U Kyaw Moe Tun to remain Myanmar’s representative at the United Nations (UN) with full participation rights, as the 79th UN General Assembly commences in New York.
U Ko Ko Lay, a Myanmar activist based in San Francisco, stated that activists from California submitted a request to the UN General Assembly, which started on 10 September, urging that Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun not only retain his position as Myanmar’s representative but also be granted the right to attend and speak at key UN meetings.
“They are asking for two things: to maintain U Kyaw Moe Tun in his position and to allow him to speak at the General Assembly,” U Ko Ko Lay said. He emphasized that Myanmar’s military regime has failed to assist with flood relief, while continuing airstrikes and attacks on civilians. “People's lives are in danger. U Kyaw Moe Tun, by retaining his position and speaking at the UN, can inform the international community about the hardships faced by the people of Myanmar,” he added.
On Saturday afternoon, activists gathered at the United Nations Plaza in San Francisco, a site that commemorates the founding of the UN, to voice their demands. Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, U Kyaw Moe Tun has been recognized by the UN General Assembly's Credential Committee as Myanmar’s permanent representative each year. However, his ability to attend and participate in key decisions has been restricted—something the activists are now demanding be changed.
The activists also plan to march across San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the next two weeks to further press their demands for U Kyaw Moe Tun’s continued representation and voice at the UN.
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