BWI urges UNGA to choose between democracy and tyranny


Coinciding with the opening today of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) joins the global clamour for the UNGA to fully recognise the credentials of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) as the one and true government of the Myanmar people. 


The UNGA can no longer delay its decision on this grave matter. While the UN Credentials Committee’s decision last July to defer action on who will legitimately represent Myanmar in the UNGA was initially met with guarded hope and optimism —temporarily barring the military junta from the UN—we believe that this will no longer hold and be enough. Each day that the UNGA fails to recognise the NUG, it emboldens the military junta to commit more atrocities. 


This year alone, the military junta under the Special Administration Council (SAC) has unleashed a new wave of violence and impunity against the Myanmar people. The military dictatorship has publicly executed 4 democracy activists, and is planning to execute 41 more political prisoners. It has also sentenced State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi to three years in prison with hard labour and dismissed the international community’s demand for peace talks, including what it has already committed under the ASEAN’s five-point consensus. These all happened amidst the UNGA’s failure to come up with a firm and clear stand on the Myanmar crisis. 


This can no longer stand! As part of the global trade union movement, BWI adds its voice in calling on the UNGA to: 


  • Recognise the credentials of the National Unity Government (NUG) before its 77th session.

  • Reaffirm Mr. Kyaw Moe Tun as the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations. 

  • Bring the military junta to justice for its crimes against humanity.  

  • Adopt an arms embargo on Myanmar based on the UNGA Resolution 75/287, and an economic sanction against the military junta. 

The days of sitting on the fence are over. The UNGA must now choose between democracy and tyranny. There is no middle ground. 


Recognise Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) now!