Pro-democracy activist Tayzar San led an anti-coup flash mob protest in his hometown of Mandalay on Oct. 26. (Credit: Tayzar San)

Pro-democracy activist Tayzar San called for reform of the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG), which was established in April 2021 by elected members of parliament, ethnic nationality leaders, and members of civil society, in opposition to the Myanmar military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.

“An organization must evolve in accordance with time, situation and context. We’re no longer in 2021, now [resistance forces] control more territory and have greater responsibility. So, the NUG needs more capacity and effectiveness,” he told DVB in an interview on July 11.

Tayzar San, 36, is a prominent figure in Myanmar’s non-violent resistance movement. A medical doctor and librarian by training, he became active during Myanmar’s democratic transition from 2011-21 by promoting civic education through community libraries and free healthcare to underprivileged communities in Mandalay. 

He served as the executive director of the Yone Kyi Yar Knowledge Program Society, a local research and parliamentary monitoring organization, up until the 2021 coup.

Then, he launched Myanmar’s first anti-coup protest in Mandalay on Feb. 4, 2021 – four days after the coup – to denounce the military takeover. An arrest warrant was issued against him on charges of incitement, or Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. 

A 10 million MMK ($2,237.14 USD) reward for information leading to his arrest came from the military authorities. He fled underground, ending up in resistance-controlled territory out of the reach of the regime in Naypyidaw.

In 2022, Tayzar San received South Korea’s Park Jong-cheol Human Rights Award, which recognizes individuals or groups globally who have made a significant contribution to democracy and human rights.

“We need to analyze what exactly [Tayzar San] is pointing out, what needs to change, and what challenges we might face in making those changes,” Aung Myo Min, the NUG Minister of Human Rights, told DVB in an interview.

The NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La revealed plans to restructure NUG leadership and to enhance cooperation with ethnic nationalities in his 2025 New Year’s Day Address on Jan. 1.

Over the last four years, the NUG has established 17 ministries as an alternative to the regime, which controls all ministry and governmental offices in Naypyidaw.

Tayzar San called on the NUG to restructure its system of local governance, known as the “three pas,” for the People’s Administration Teams (PAT), People’s Security Teams (PST), and People’s Defense Teams (PDT), which are operating in 188 townships nationwide. 

“These groups work directly with communities, so they must uphold ethical standards. Locals judge the revolution and how NUG is doing by seeing the behavior of these grassroots groups. Misconduct damages public perception of both the NUG and the revolution,” Tayzar San told DVB.

The death of a 16-year-old student named Myint Myat Oo in Wetlet Township in Sagaing Region on July 8, 2024 led to criticism of the NUG from the All Burma Federation of Students Union (ABFSU), which denounced “undocumented civilian deaths” and “acts of cruelty” in areas under NUG control. 

The ABFSU put out a statement saying that it condemned “the heinous acts.” It alleged that ABFSU members had been attacked by representatives from the NUG People’s Administration in Wetlet.

The NUG responded to the ABFSU accusations, stating that it would investigate the death, but there has been no update on the investigation since it began one year ago.

“Without a proper [NUG] military code of conduct, there is a risk that they may become just groups which have guns rather than a disciplined military force,” Tayzar San told DVB.

Since the People’s Defense Force (PDF) was established as the NUG armed wing in May 2021, it has seized control of eight towns in Sagaing and Mandalay regions. Even some rural areas in Magway Region are under PDF control. 

BBC reported in September that the NUG system of local governance faces serious issues, including arbitrary killings, abuse of power, and extortion. This is based on testimony the BBC collected from local residents and resistance force members who spoke on the condition of anonymity, 

Lwin Ko Latt, the NUG Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, told BBC that from mid-2023 to Sept. 2024, the NUG had received 185 complaints regarding these abuses but had resolved only 43 of them.

DVB contacted the NUG to respond directly to the criticisms put forth by Tayzar San, but no official was made available in time for publication.