Myanmar Military Regime Faces Lawsuits In Britain

Embassy of Myanmar in London. (Wikimedia Commons/Burma Democratic Concern)

JAKARTA - A non-governmental organization (NGO) in the UK has filed a legal case against the leaders of the Myanmar military regime over claims over the ambassador's residence and the attempted expulsion of the former ambassador who opposed the February 1 military coup.

U Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar's Ambassador to Britain, was accused by his deputy U Chit Win on the orders of the military regime, by locking access to the Myanmar Embassy, after Zwar Minn criticized the military regime and called for the release of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

After the occupation of the embassy, U Kyaw Zwar Minn was asked to leave the ambassador's residence in Hampstead, north London, by U Chit Win, the representative power of Myanmar appointed by the Myanmar military regime.

In this regard, the Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP), represented by the well-known law firm Peters & Peters Solicitors, challenged the legality of the coup leaders, sending out a notification of lawsuits.

The law firm's office warned that attempts to expel the ambassador and own the property were against the law. And, U Chit Win does not have the authority to ask U Kyaw Zwar Minn to leave the ambassador's residence or return the property because it belongs to the Republic of Myanmar.

"Any attempt to secure access to any part of the property will be reported immediately to the police," added the notice, as reported by The Irrawaddy, Thursday 6 May.

"You intend to represent the Union of Myanmar and write on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, our clients do not and will not recognize those responsible for the internationally condemned military coup in Myanmar as representatives of the legitimate government of Myanmar, "the letter continued.

"Therefore His Excellency (the ambassador) will not vacate the ambassador's residence, and will refuse ownership or other legal proceedings to seek to secure property or access to it by any means," the notice stated.

Christopher Gunness at MAP said the military regime's government was illegitimate and its claims to property, which belonged to the government and the people of Myanmar, were illegal.

Meanwhile, Keith Oliver, international head at Peters and Peters, acting on behalf of the ambassador said there was universal condemnation of the Myanmar coup and the junta had no right to claim control of the house, which is legally owned by the state, under British law.

“As a result, we will firmly reject any unlawful attempt to secure ownership of the ambassador's residence and this matter will be determined by the British courts.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in that one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.