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The Foreign Ministry protests and objects in the strongest terms on the irresponsible and reckless statements and remarks made by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, the Embassy of France in Yangon, the United Nations Secretary General’s and U.S. State Department’s Spokespersons

(6-6-2022, Nay Pyi Taw)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refers to the statements issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic on 4 June 2022, Embassy of France in Yangon on 4 June 2022 and remarks of the United Nations Secretary General’s Spokesperson on 3 June 2022 and the U.S. State Department’s Spokesperson on 6 June 2022, regarding the verdict of four terrorists including Phyo Zeyar Thaw and Kyaw Min Yu.

The Ministry underscores that Myanmar, as an independent and sovereign state, the incumbent Government has every right to execute all powers and authorities vested by the State Constitution (2008). The Ministry also wishes to highlight that every citizen is equally subject to the law while everyone is treated equally under the law and afforded protection for fundamental Human Rights. Additionally, as Myanmar judicial system is independent, it ensures that laws are equal and just to all citizens residing in the Union. Phyo Zeyar Thaw and Kyaw Min Yu were sentenced to death after being found guilty of breaching the Counter-terrorism Law Section 49 (a), 50 (i) and 50 (j). Accordingly, the sentences were passed as they were proved to be masterminds of orchestrating full-scale terrorist attacks against innocent civilians to instill fear and disrupt peace and stability. As such, irresponsible statements and remarks of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Embassy of France in Yangon, Office of the Spokesperson of the United Nations and the State Department of the United States of America construe to be abetting terrorism and purely neglecting the continued violent attacks committed by terrorist groups of the so-called NUG and PDFs which have resulted in the deaths of many innocent lives, injuries and destruction of both private and public properties.

Furthermore, the Ministry expresses its utmost indignation and strong protest to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic and the Embassy of France for referring to the State Administration Council as ‘illegitimate military regime’ which is totally unacceptable to the Government of Myanmar. According to Article 3 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it implies that diplomats are to promote friendly relations between the sending State and the receiving State and according to Article 41 of the Convention, diplomats are to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the State respectively.

The Ministry regrets that the French Republic instead of promoting amity and mutual respect with Myanmar, has issued a provocative statement which includes the above-mentioned unacceptable term that not only wantonly meddle in the internal affairs of Myanmar in the pretext of human rights and democracy but also flagrantly violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This statement could have negative impacts on the existing bilateral relations. It is regrettable to see the failure of some countries to uphold the principle of the sovereign equality of states which is clearly prescribed in the Article 2 of the UN Charter.

The legitimacy of the State Administration Council (SAC) is unquestionable as it was formed in accordance with the State Constitution (2008) and members of the State Administration Council from central level to region/state levels are comprised of leaders of ethnic nationalities, leaders of some political parties and members of the Tatmadaw. This fact clearly demonstrates the fact that the SAC is not a military administration. In order to have improved collaboration and constructive engagement, Myanmar once again calls the international community to abide by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and internationally accepted Conventions on diplomatic relations and to treat Myanmar with the same courtesy due to any sovereign government.

Therefore, the Ministry protests and objects in the strongest terms on the irresponsible and reckless statements and remarks made by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, the Embassy of France in Yangon, the United Nations Secretary General’s Spokesperson and the U.S. State Department’s Spokesperson which the Ministry has already conveyed its strong objection through diplomatic channels.