Myanmar’s military regime has launched a blistering propaganda campaign against UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop, accusing her of bias and misconduct after she criticised worsening conditions in the country since the junta’s staged election. On 19 June, Bishop briefed UN member states on abuses including airstrikes, mass displacement and sexual violence. Her remarks provoked fury from the regime, which responded with coordinated attacks across state media. Outlets branded her an “unpleasant diplomat” and questioned her integrity, while editorials accused the UN of interference and distortion. The campaign escalated on 24 June, when military‑controlled newspapers and websites published an “open letter” to the UN secretary‑general, accompanied by Bishop’s photo. The article portrayed her as incompetent and unprofessional, alleging a history of bullying colleagues, and asked why the UN had appointed her. It dismissed her claims of cybercrime, food shortages and human rights abuses as exaggerations or fabrications. Despite the barrage, the regime’s Foreign Ministry has issued no formal statement, relying instead on anonymous writers and editorials to deliver personal attacks. The Burmese‑language Kyemon Daily echoed the criticism, questioning the UN’s impartiality and credibility. Bishop has visited Myanmar four times, meeting coup leader‑turned‑president Min Aung Hlaing on three occasions, most recently in May. She has also held talks with opposition figures, ethnic groups and civil society organisations, including the new Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union. The attacks come shortly after Min Aung Hlaing’s trip to China, where Xi Jinping reaffirmed support for Myanmar’s participation in ASEAN and the UN. Yet, more than 100 days into its rebranded administration, the regime remains unrecognised by either body, leaving it desperate for legitimacy. -2026-06-03
