Military junta removes two dissident diplomats stationed in Japan

Critics of the violence against the democratic opposition, the two envoys asked the Japanese government for help. Japanese companies present in Myanmar say Tokyo is too "weak" with the Burmese generals. The military has recalled about 100 rebel diplomats to their homeland since the coup.

Yangon (AsiaNews) - The military junta has removed two diplomats stationed at the embassy in Tokyo. The two envoys boycotted the mission's activities in protest against the coup that overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in February.

Their removal was reported this morning by Kyodo News, citing Burmese diplomatic sources.

The regime of General Min Aung Hlaing already sacked the ambassador to the United Nations in February, and last month dismissed the envoy to London.

The two diplomats on duty in Tokyo, a first and a second secretary, have had their diplomatic status withdrawn and been banned from entering the embassy buildings. Both asked the Japanese authorities to be allowed to keep their diplomatic credentials, which they received under a mandate from the Suu Kyi administration, chosen by the people with a democratic vote.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry has stated that the position of the two dissidents will be assessed on the basis of how the situation in Myanmar will evolve. The Irrawaddy notes that Japan is the number one provider of development aid to the former Burma and the fourth largest investor in the country.

According to an independent poll conducted in April, of 135 Japanese businessmen residing in Myanmar 71% of respondents considered Tokyo's response to Min Aung Hlaing's coup d'état "weak".

Many Myanmar diplomats have come out against the military coup, which came after the National League for Democracy overwhelmingly won the November elections.

Just as with a large part of the international community, they are calling on Naypyidaw's generals to end the violence against opponents, free political prisoners and hand over power to the civil authorities.

The junta has recalled about 100 envoys who support the civil disobedience movement in Myanmar. They were stationed in 20 states, including the United States, Great Britain and Singapore. Some of them did not respect the order and remained in the countries of assignment.

• myanmar
• chin state
• un
• usa
• economy
• religious freedom
• military coup
• tatmadaw
• min aung hlaing
• aung san suu kyi
• league for democracy
• civil disobedience movement
• japan
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