National Unity Government declares 14 military generals as ‘terrorists’

The National Unity Government (NUG) Anti-Terrorism Central Committee on Tuesday declared that a total of 14 military generals, including regime leader Min Aung Hlaing and 25 members of the Union Election Commission (UEC), were designated as “terrorists” for alleged crimes against humanity.

“As the central body for combating terrorism, we will strive to take legal action against [them],” the NUG stated on Nov. 25 without specifically outlining what actions will be taken. 

It also labelled the regime’s UEC as a “terrorist group” for obeying the orders from a regime that took power illegally during the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021. 

The UEC Chairperson Thein Soe, as well as UEC members Thaung Tin, Than Htun, Aung Saw Win, Saw Ba Hlaing, were included on the NUG “terrorist” list. 

The regime’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), which was formed by 11 members from the military, received the same designation as a “terrorist group”. 

Military generals such as Soe Win, Mya Tun Oo, Tun Tun Naung, Aung Lin Dwe, Ye Win Oo, Tin Aung San, Maung Maung Aye, Yar Pyae, Thida Oo, Than Swe, Wanna Maung Lwin, as well as former Vice President Henry Van Thio, were included by the NUG.

It called on all Myanmar citizens, and resistance groups, to assist in the actions against the regime without giving any specific details as to how. 

The regime declared the NUG, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), and the People’s Defense Force (PDF), as “terrorist groups” in May 2021, for alleged acts of incitement against the regime. 

Anyone arrested on suspicion of affiliation with these groups could face 10 years to life imprisonment, according to the Myanmar Counter-Terrorism Law, which was amended in 2021 after the coup.