Myanmar government has revoked the status of its UN permanent representative Kyaw Moe Tun, accusing him of engaging in “illegal activities” and failing to follow official instructions.

The government said Kyaw Moe Tun was dismissed from the civil service on February 27, 2021, shortly after he publicly appealed to the UN not to recognize the military regime that seized power in a coup.

Kyaw Moe Tun, appointed by the ousted government of Aung San Suu Kyi, has remained Myanmar’s UN representative because the UN Credentials Committee has deferred a decision on competing claims to represent the country. According to Reuters, the committee is expected to consider the issue after the UN General Assembly later this month.

Myanmar’s authorities have accused Kyaw Moe Tun of misusing state property and mission funds while cooperating with the parallel National Unity Government. They said they were seeking legal action against him through INTERPOL, US agencies and diplomatic channels.

Pro-democracy groups and the NUG have campaigned internationally to help him retain his position, making the UN representation dispute a continuing challenge to the military government’s claim to legitimacy.

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