The Karen National Union Concerned Group | June 8, 2017

1. The signing of a Union Accord as the outcome of the 21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference, which was convened from 24-29 May 2017, has caused very serious concern among us since it is a deviation from the road to the establishment of sustainable peace and a genuine Federal Union.

2. The signed Accord did not involve the participation of all the relevant ethnic armed organizations. It was also done without carefully securing the approval of the ethnic political parties and without acquiring approval through discussions and debate in the Conference. Moreover, we feel that the decisions were made under overbearing pressure.

3. While some of the articles of the signed Union Accord are within the framework of the 2008 Constitution, the remaining points are general themes and hypothetical in nature. Thus, we feel that it will be extremely difficult to proceed further with the undertaking of peace conferences.

4. Consequently for the success in building true sustainable peace and a genuine Federal Union, we insist upon opening the avenue for the participation of all relevant organizations. In this same regard, we urge all these relevant stakeholders to be concerned about the need to review the entire peace process, together with the Framework for Political Dialogue and guidelines of UPDJC including with the Working Committees.

Contacts:

(+66) 6134 8006 7)

(+66) 8794 3875 0

Download the statement (PDF) in English | Burmese

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