The military council announced today, June 18, through their Telegram channels that they have revoked the citizenship of 13 artists, including actors, singers, and other performers who have been opposing the military dictatorship. Starting from around 10 AM, all military-controlled Telegram channels simultaneously distributed announcements regarding the citizenship revocation of these artists who have fled to foreign countries while opposing the military council. According to the announcement, these artists were stripped of their citizenship under Section 16, exercising the authority granted by Section 68 of the Central Committee formed under Section 67 of the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law, citing their involvement in activities deemed detrimental to the interests of Myanmar.
The list of those whose citizenship has been revoked includes well-known artists: singer Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, director Na Gyi (aka) Nyan Tin Oo, director Ko Pauk (aka) Aung Min Naing, singer Lin Lin (aka) Htwae Lin Ko, singer Chan Chan (aka) Chan Myae Nyein, Academy Award-winning actress Paing Phyo Thu, artist Myat Noe Aye, singer Azarni (aka) Zanar Myo Nyunt, artist Kara, actor Zin Wine (aka) Htay Lwin, singer Win Naing Soe, director Pyay Hein Thiha, and actor Aung Myint Myat. All of these individuals had publicly expressed their opposition to the military coup and participated in revolutionary activities.
Similarly, in 2022, the military council had announced the revocation of citizenship for ministers of the National Unity Government (NUG) and others involved in the revolution. The international community views these citizenship revocations as a form of oppression against those fighting against the military dictatorship. This pattern of citizenship revocation has become one of the military council’s tactics to pressure those who oppose their rule, though it has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and the international community as a violation of basic human rights.
