Myanmar's Shadow Government Wins Support from the European Parliament

The European Parliament agreed to recognise Myanmar's shadow government and parliamentary committee as the country's legitimate representatives, making it the first international legislative body to do so.

Since the military deposed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) government in February, the country has been in turmoil, with enormous rallies and a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protestors.
Armed attacks against government targets and junta retaliation have continued for more than eight months.

The European Parliament said in a resolution passed on Thursday that it "supports the CRPH and the NUG as the only legitimate representatives of the democratic wishes of the people of Myanmar," referring to the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and its parliamentary Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CPRH), both of which were formed by ousted elected NLD lawmakers and ethnic allies in the aftermath of the Feb. 1 takeover.

The proposal received 647 yes votes, two no votes, and 31 abstentions.

The EU Parliament's display of support on Thursday is a big embarrassment for Myanmar's military dictatorship, which is fighting a competing claim by the NUG for international recognition as the country's genuine caretaker government.

On Friday, neither the NUG nor the CRPH were available for comment.

The NUG has had widespread support both at home and abroad since its inception in April.
While lobbying for international recognition as Myanmar's legitimate government, it is supporting striking public servants and opposition forces inside the country.
It has failed to obtain diplomatic recognition from other countries, despite occasional unofficial engagements.
After realising that diplomatic pressure was no longer sufficient to overthrow the junta, the shadow government called a general rebellion against the rule early last month.

The NUG and the CRPH have been designated as terrorist organisations by the regime.

The French Senate unanimously recognised the NUG earlier this week.
If the vote is approved by the lower house of the French Parliament, France will become the first country to recognise Myanmar's shadow government.
The EU parliament's support might be significant.