YANGON — In the latest move pushing back against Myanmar’s military regime by civil servants, a senior diplomat in Los Angeles has joined the civil disobedience movement (CDM) by refusing to work for the junta.
A chancellor at Myanmar’s Los Angeles consulate, Daw Mya Mya Kyi, posted on Facebook that she has decided to strike after the military regime recalled her back to Naypyitaw.
After Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Nations, U Kyaw Moe Tun, condemned the coup, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled at least 100 staff from around 19 countries, including the US, UK, Norway, China and Japan.
Daw Mya Mya Kyi said she would not follow the ministerial order as it came from the illegitimate military regime, adding that she had been working in Los Angeles for more than three years for the democratically elected government.
She said she would only accept a transfer order from the elected government.
While she will not resign, Daw Mya Mya Kyi said she is participating in the CDM and will not work for a dictator.
Thousands of civil servants across Myanmar are defying the dictatorship through the CDM, despite threats of lawsuits.
Expats from Myanmar gathered at the consulate in New York to support U Kyaw Moe Tun after the regime dismissed him. They urged the US authorities not to issue visas to replacement staff appointed by the regime.
The Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a committee representing elected members of the Union Parliament from the National League for Democracy, said U Kyaw Moe Tun is still the legitimate envoy to the UN as member states had not recognized the military regime as the legitimate government of Myanmar.
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