The National Unity Government (NUG) has reiterated its call for rights organizations to offer a formal apology for a letter sent from the NGOs to the Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

“In response to a widely circulated open letter addressed to Min Aung Hlaing and signed by 12 prominent international human rights groups, the NUG has issued a condemnation and is demanding a public apology.

The letter in question invited Min Aung Hlaing and other SAC members to the upcoming UN conference for transforming education in New York. In doing so, the cosignatory international human rights groups have gravely offended the whole of Myanmar and have lent legitimacy to an illegitimate murderous regime

Although the NUG notes that Human Rights Watch has issued a letter of apology in response to the NUG’s condemnation, the letter does not display a genuine sense of contrition. In its statement the NUG noted that according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, and the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing is responsible for grave human rights violations, probable war crimes and crimes against humanity. The harm caused by human rights groups engaging directly with Min Aung Hlaing or treating with him in any form of leadership capacity is incalculable.

Accordingly, the NUG expects public apologies from all the cosignatory organisations including recognition of the NUG as the sole legitimate representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.