After the French Senate, this time the European Parliament is also talking about recognizing the alternative government of Myanmar known as the Government of National Unity (NUG).
A resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar in the European Parliament on Thursday called on all parties, including ASEAN, to join NUG in resolving the ongoing crisis in the country.
Last Tuesday, a proposal to recognize NUG was passed in the upper house of the French parliament, the Senate. The resolution, adopted by the French Senate, called on the French government to recognize the alternative government in the interests of restoring peace and democracy in the country, as well as restoring the constitutional process in Myanmar.
International relations analysts say the recognition of the country’s alternative government in two parliaments comes eight months after Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted in a military coup.
In Myanmar, the military government of General Min Aung Hlaing has not been recognized. Myanmar’s seat in the just-concluded session of the UN General Assembly was vacant.
The situation in Myanmar is set to be discussed at the UN next month (November). In this context, the call for Myanmar’s alternative government to be involved in resolving the existing crisis is reinforcing the issue of NUG’s recognition internationally.
The European Parliament yesterday passed a resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar, including the situation of religious minorities. The proposal was voted in favor by 647 members of the European Parliament. Two people voted against. And 31 members abstained from voting.
The European Parliament’s resolution condemns Myanmar’s military rule for widespread human rights abuses and the crackdown on protesters.
Members of the European Parliament have called these incidents of human rights violations and attacks a crime against humanity. They condemned the attack, which targeted small ethnic groups and religious minorities. They also condemned the arrests of the country’s religious leaders.
Members of the European Parliament have expressed outrage over attacks, torture and detentions on Myanmar’s health workers. They have expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar as the third wave of coronavirus begins.
Members of the European Parliament have not been able to find out the truth about the Myanmar army’s coup. The post-coup allegations made by the junta have not been substantiated by members of the European Parliament. As a result, they have demanded the unconditional release of Myanmar’s ousted President Win Minn and State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi.
In their proposal, members of the European Parliament called for the involvement of an alternative government in resolving the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, saying the NUG was formed to meet the democratic aspirations of the country’s people. NUG is the only legitimate representative of the people of the country. Therefore, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (ASEAN) and other international communities need to take the initiative in a genuine and participatory dialogue and process for a peaceful solution while respecting the rule of law. NUG should be involved in this initiative.
Referring to ASEAN’s role in finding a lasting solution to Myanmar’s ongoing crisis, the European Parliament’s resolution called on the alliance (ASEAN) to play a more active role. The European Parliament’s proposal also calls for ASEAN to engage Myanmar’s civil society, including the NUG, in their initiatives.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, members of the European Parliament have called on China and Russia to play an active role in resolving the Myanmar crisis.