Ethnic Groups to Continue Demanding Autonomy

By Min Min / Mizzima | June 30, 2018

The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) vice chairperson Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone said ethnic groups will continue demanding democracy, equality and autonomy.

“These basic principles are essential for ethnic people in our country, so although it has been 50 years, we still continue demanding these principles. We will demand them until we get them,” said Dr Salai Hlyan Hmone.

He made the remark in his opening speech of the 15th UPDJC meeting held in the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Nay Pyi Taw on June 29.

Despite previous discussions, no agreement has been reached among the government, Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups about the matters related to autonomy, one of the three basic demands of ethnic groups.

And in the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference to be held in July, the matters related to autonomy will not be discussed.

The conference will focus on minority rights and gender equality, Zaw Htay, director general of the President’s Office, said earlier this month.