"The National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) condemns in the strongest possible terms the abuse of the nation’s citizenship law, in an attempt to threaten members of the NUG and prominent democracy allies of Myanmar. The junta’s effort to punish Ministers of the only legitimate government of Myanmar and prominent supporters with this cheap stunt, is not only illegal under international law, it is also forbidden under Myanmar law. Their effort to create a facade of legitimacy for this political attack is similarly illegitimate and illegal. They cite the one provision of Myanmar’s citizenship law (Article 16) that may, under narrowly defined circumstances, be used to revoke a citizen’s passport and citizenship. That case involves those who have taken up citizenship in another country permanently. NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La, commenting on the preposterous claim by the junta said, “The only basis in law under which this attack could be defended, as it says in Article 16 and 17, is if a Myanmar citizen takes citizenship and permanent residence elsewhere. The people of our nation know that every member of my government did not seek or obtain citizenship and residence elsewhere will return to our country at the moment of victory over this blood-stained gang, the illegitimate military council they installed in an attempted coup.” Minister of Justice U Thein Oo, himself an expert on constitutional law, said, “No more obvious sign of this junta’s desperation, as they suffer setback after setback on the battlefield, could there be but this kind of nonsense. They know it is illegal. Article 17 states quite clearly that citizenship and permanent residence in another country is the only basis for such a step: It says explicitly: “NO other reason can be used for revoking citizenship.” He continued, "We will replace current citizenship law with a fairer new citizenship law." “They may be deluded into thinking this attack will demoralize me and my colleagues. It will not, and when we return to bring freedom, peace and justice to a new Myanmar, we will not attempt to revoke the junta members' citizenship. We will, however, put them on trial for their war crimes and atrocities,” he concluded..."