EXCLUSIVE UK urges ex-Myanmar ambassador to leave London home citing junta ‘pressure’

Myanmar’s ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn stands, after he was locked out of the embassy, and sources stated his deputy had shut him out of the constructing and brought cost on behalf of the navy, exterior the Myanmar Embassy in London, Britain, April 8, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photograph

LONDON, March 10 (Reuters) – Britain has urged Myanmar’s former ambassador to depart the official London residence the place he has continued to reside since he was ousted for criticising final yr’s navy coup, citing stress from the junta, in keeping with emails seen by Reuters.

Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of his embassy final April by his personal workers after calling for the discharge of Myanmar’s civilian chief Aung San Suu Kyi, detained alongside most of her authorities within the Feb. 1 coup. learn extra

The coup sparked worldwide outrage, sanctions towards Myanmar’s navy, together with from Britain, and a mass rebellion wherein a whole bunch have been killed.

Since his ouster, Kyaw Zwar Minn has stayed on the northwest London residence, a mansion surrounded by razor wire and CCTV cameras, refusing at hand it again to the embassy which he says is now run by representatives of an illegitimate authorities.

“We’re below appreciable stress from the navy regime to resolve the difficulty of your continued presence within the Myanmar Residence,” a senior international workplace official stated in an electronic mail despatched to Kyaw Zwar Minn on March 4.

The correspondence, which dates again to October final yr, repeatedly urges Kyaw Zwar Minn to depart the home, saying his presence there poses authorized issues for Britain and dangers to its workers in Myanmar.

Britain’s International Workplace didn’t instantly reply questions on the correspondence. A spokesperson for the ministry stated Kyaw Zwar Minn took a “courageous stand in assist of democracy” and that Britain had offered “important assist” to him to construct a life for his household within the UK.

Kyaw Zwar Minn, who was Myanmar’s ambassador to London for round seven years, declined to touch upon the e-mail alternate however informed Reuters he wouldn’t depart the home till Suu Kyi was launched or a official Myanmar authorities was established and recognised by the UK.

Myanmar’s junta didn’t reply to a request for remark.

The battle over the home has “enormous diplomatic significance” as Myanmar’s junta seeks worldwide recognition, a rights group stated.

“It (the home) belongs to the individuals of Myanmar … not the unlawful junta whose failed coup is destroying the nation,” stated Chris Gunness, director of the Myanmar Accountability Venture.

“LEGAL DIFFICULTIES”

Britain is amongst a number of Western nations which have known as for democracy to be restored in Myanmar and sanctioned members of Myanmar’s navy and a few of its enterprise pursuits.

Deposed Myanmar politicians who escaped arrest after the coup, and different pro-democracy allies, fashioned the Nationwide Unity Authorities (NUG), a parallel administration aligned with Suu Kyi.

Most democratic nations, together with Britain, haven’t formally recognised both the NUG or the junta.

In July final yr, Myanmar’s junta appointed a brand new non permanent head of its London embassy and Britain appointed a brand new ambassador to Myanmar. learn extra

In October, Britain’s international workplace wrote to Kyaw Zwar Minn saying his continued presence within the embassy-owned London residence was inflicting “important authorized difficulties” for Britain. It didn’t specify the difficulties.

“We don’t suppose it’s tenable so that you can stay there,” the international workplace stated.

Kyaw Zwar Minn replied that he would solely hand over the property “to the official, elected authorities of Myanmar, to not the navy”.

In one other alternate in late February, greater than a yr after the coup, Kyaw Zwar Minn stated he wouldn’t transfer out till Suu Kyi, who’s dealing with many years in jail on a number of fees introduced by the junta, was launched and a “official” authorities fashioned.

Alternatively, he stated, he would hand it over to the NUG if that authorities was recognised by the UK. The NUG didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Further reporting by William James; Modifying by Nick Macfie

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.