Armed groups call for equality at peace summit
Armed groups call for equality at peace summit
Myanmar Times, 11 Apr 2017
URL: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/25674-armed-groups-call-for-equality-at-peace-summit.html
A meeting of all armed ethnic groups, including the signatories and non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), has resulted in a statement calling for all armed ethnic organizations to have equal and dignified status in the second 21st Century Panglong Conference.
The meeting was attended by 14 armed ethnic groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand over the weekend.
During the meeting, participants discussed the “founding principles for building a federal union” and the “Panglong reference booklet”, two topics which were discussed by armed ethnic groups during the August 2016 summit.
The groups also said in a statement released after the meeting that they would work towards the signing of the NCA by non-signatory groups, and aim to “attain dignified status” for all armed ethnic organizations at the coming second 21st Century Panglong Conference.
The government says that armed ethnic groups have to sign the ceasefire pact in order to participate at the political dialogue.
The government and eight signatory groups have said the non-signatories groups, which previously said they will not attend the peace conference if invited as “observers”, should be invited as “special guests”.
The armed ethnic groups have also called for talks to resolve the conflicts in Kachin and northern Shan states.
The meeting was attended by 14 armed ethnic groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand over the weekend.
During the meeting, participants discussed the “founding principles for building a federal union” and the “Panglong reference booklet”, two topics which were discussed by armed ethnic groups during the August 2016 summit.
The groups also said in a statement released after the meeting that they would work towards the signing of the NCA by non-signatory groups, and aim to “attain dignified status” for all armed ethnic organizations at the coming second 21st Century Panglong Conference.
The government says that armed ethnic groups have to sign the ceasefire pact in order to participate at the political dialogue.
The government and eight signatory groups have said the non-signatories groups, which previously said they will not attend the peace conference if invited as “observers”, should be invited as “special guests”.
The armed ethnic groups have also called for talks to resolve the conflicts in Kachin and northern Shan states.