Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dr. Sasa, who is accused of treason by the armed forces, urges the international community to take immediate action to prevent further bleeding.
The international ambassador for Myanmar’s civilian government has clashed after the country’s military government was accused of high treason.
Myanmar-run television said Tuesday that the ambassador who goes straight by the name of Dr. Sasa is accused of inciting a civil disobedience campaign and calling for international sanctions and imposition of destroyed the army that seized power in a February 1 coup.
Speaking to Al Jazeera from an unknown location abroad over safety concerns, Sasa said civilians taking part in major anti-coup protests will have no choice but to “defend themselves” against a crackdown. increasingly brutal and which has seen more than 180 people killed by security forces.
“Today, I am proud to have been accused of high treason by the armed junta, if this betrayal means that I stand with the people of Myanmar, dedicating my life for their freedom, for federal democracy and for justice, “said Sasa, who has been named” special ambassador “to the United Nations by a committee representing the Myanmar parliament.
‘Bloodshed and suffering’
The military said it took power because its allegations of alleged fraud were made in an election in November, which the National League of Democracy (NLD) returned civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to power for a second five-year term . The generals have promised to hold a new vote, but a date has not yet been set.
Last month’s seizure of power put an end to Myanmar’s short-lived trial with democracy, just about 10 years after the end of nearly 50 years of strict military rule.
“This illegal, illegitimate regime has been committing crimes against humanity, crimes and genocides,” Sasa said.
“Throughout our history of independence, there has been bloodshed and suffering across the country by those who [meant] to protect our people, ”he said. “These are the only generals who should be accused of high treason, the ones who accused me today of high treason.”
“These are the only generals who should be accused of high treason, the ones who have accused me of high treason,” he said.
Sasa said although he could not return home because he would oppose the death penalty, his countrymen would continue to oppose the army.
“The people of Myanmar would have to defend themselves if the international community did not take any action against the same armed generals who have been committing crimes against humanity every day,” Sasa said. warns that the situation will not get worse.
“We urge the international community to act quickly before it is too late because the bleeding will continue,” he said.
‘We will continue, until that end’
Dozens of protesters were killed over the weekend in Myanmar’s largest city in Yangon, in one of the bloodiest crackdowns against the anti-democracy movement.
“The… soldiers are shooting people because they can, as simple as that,” a protester in Yangon, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday.
“It simply came to our notice then [in Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar township]. More than 50 people died and more than 300 were injured. They used machine guns, snipers and live ammunition. There were dead bodies around, ”the protester continued, saying the civil uprising continued despite the threat to their lives.
“We will continue, until the end. They have become increasingly violent, so we are well aware that we are putting our bodies on the line. “
Last week, the acting leader of Myanmar’s parallel civil government, announced by the ousted lawmakers, vowed to continue a “revolution” until the reverse military government.
Mahn Win Khaing Than, who is hiding with most senior officials from the NLD, said the civilian government would try to give people a legal right to defend themselves.
“This is the darkest time of the country and the moment the day is close,” he said.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained along with other senior NLD leaders by the military on Feb. 1, faces at least four charges, including illegal use of walkie-talkie radios and protocols outbreaks associated with coronavirus pandemic.