`We need stronger actions from the international community to immediately end the military coup, stop the oppression of innocent people, return state power to the people and restore

Myanmar’s ambassador to the UN choked up in protest of the coup

Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun spoke before the General Assembly on February 26.

It is very rare for an ambassador to the United Nations to speak out against those in power in the country.

Kyaw Moe Tun emphasized that he would stand with those who continue to `fight for government of the people, by the people and for the people`, and ended his speech by raising three fingers, a symbol

`The world should applaud the courage of ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun for making such a strong statement on behalf of the people of Myanmar, not the illegal military,` said Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Center for Universal Justice.

Myanmar’s ambassador spoke to the General Assembly after UN special envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener called on countries not to recognize or legitimize Myanmar’s military junta, and `influential` countries pushed for

Myanmar has been in chaos since the military seized power and arrested civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and most officials of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party on accusations of fraud.

`Unfortunately, to date, the current regime has asked me to postpone any visit. It seems they want to continue large-scale detentions and forcing people to testify against the NLD government. This

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged to mobilize enough international pressure `to ensure the coup will fail`.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the US `has and will continue to take actions in close coordination with allies and partners` to show the Myanmar military the consequences of their actions.

`We call on every member state here to use any available channel to tell the military that violence against the people of Myanmar will not be tolerated. Together we show the people of Myanmar that

China’s ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun said the international community should respect Myanmar’s sovereignty and `avoid increasing tensions`, while the Russian ambassador said other countries should not interfere in `the process`.