violence against political prisoners. The UNGA must take all measures possible for their immediate and unconditional release. In tandem, we call on the UNGA to recognize and support the Myanmar people’s democratic aspirations and their ongoing efforts in building bottom-up governance to establish a federal democracy—the necessary foundation for attaining sustainable peace in Myanmar. Through the National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council, and federal units including ethnic councils established by Myanmar’s longstanding ethnic resistance organizations, communities are advancing bottom-up governance structures within the frameworks of federal democracy and human rights principles. These bodies are delivering essential public services such as health care, education, public security, and humanitarian aid, while also developing and implementing policies on gender equality, transitional justice, and more. Such efforts on the ground demonstrate the aspirations, resilience, and resolve of the Myanmar people to build a just, peaceful, and inclusive society. It is time for the world to recognize their efforts and stand with them. Moreover, we urge all UN Member States to ensure that Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun retains his credentials as the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the UN. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun was appointed by the elected representatives of the Myanmar people and continues to act in accordance with their democratic will. Any so-called election by the junta cannot override this legitimacy, which reflects the outcome of Myanmar’s last free and fair election. As such, any attempt by the military junta to claim Myanmar’s seat must be fully rejected. The junta lacks democratic legitimacy and effective control over the country, and remains a systematic perpetrator of international crimes. The UNGA’s unequivocal support for Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun’s credentials is essential to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as to support the people of Myanmar in their ongoing struggle to end military tyranny and establish a genuine federal democracy. Finally, we once again urge the UNGA to terminate the mandate of the Special Envoy on Myanmar and the Secretary-General to immediately assume a more direct and active leadership role in addressing Myanmar’s polycrisis. Time and again, the Special Envoy mandate has proven unable to yield any meaningful or positive progress in ending the junta’s atrocity crimes or in alleviating the suffering of the Myanmar people. In tandem, current Special Envoy Julie Bishop’s business activities raise serious concerns about her capacity to maintain the requisite impartiality and independence for the successful execution of the mandate. The Secretary-General must urgently take the lead to coordinate international action to concertedly end the junta’s violence, ensure accountability for its crimes, and support the Myanmar people’s revolution for inclusive federal democracy. The people of Myanmar have made their democratic aspirations and commitment clear. Now, the international community must urgently take concrete action to reject the military junta’s efforts to silence their voices and destroy their future. We urge Member States to act decisively at the 80th session of the UNGA: reject the junta’s sham election, call for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, support the people’s bottom-up federal democracy building efforts, retain Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun’s credentials, and end the Special Envoy’s mandate for stronger UN leadership in response to Myanmar’s crisis. For more information, please contact: • Tun Khin, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK; tunkhin80@gmail.com • Salai Za Uk Ling, Chin Human Rights Organization; zauk@chinhumanrights.org • Khin Ohmar, Progressive Voice; info@progressive-voice.org Signed by 206 civil society organizations: 1. 5/ of Zaya State Strike Committee 2