Friday, 16 September 2011 11:53 Mizzima News
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Karen National Union (KNU) has announced a one-day cease-fire on September 21 to the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.
According to a press release from the headquarters of the KNU in Kawthoolei issued on Thursday, the organization says it will demonstrate their commitment to peace and respect for the UN by putting down their guns for the day.
The KNU, which says has been struggling for peace, democracy and human rights, equality, self-determination and freedom for the entire Karen people, notes this is the second time they have marked this international day since it was designated in 2001. According to the statement, the KNU said the Burmese government forces did not reciprocate when they had a one-day ceasefire last year.
The KNU called on the new government of President Thei Sein to cease all offensive actions in the Karen State and KNU areas and withdraw its troops from all ethnic states. It also called for an end to human rights abuses and the use of child soldiers.
“In declaring this one-day ceasefire, the KNU is demonstrating its willingness to solve problems through peaceful political means. We respect the repeated requests of the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, and United Nations Secretary General, that there must be dialogue to solve the problems in Burma. We stand ready to enter into genuine dialogue at any time,” the statement said.
The KNU said it urged the UN Security Council to persuade President Thein Sein “to order a nationwide ceasefire, and engage in tripartite dialogue for the emergence of human rights and democracy, and a genuine federal union for lasting peace and security.”
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Karen National Union (KNU) has announced a one-day cease-fire on September 21 to the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.
According to a press release from the headquarters of the KNU in Kawthoolei issued on Thursday, the organization says it will demonstrate their commitment to peace and respect for the UN by putting down their guns for the day.
The KNU, which says has been struggling for peace, democracy and human rights, equality, self-determination and freedom for the entire Karen people, notes this is the second time they have marked this international day since it was designated in 2001. According to the statement, the KNU said the Burmese government forces did not reciprocate when they had a one-day ceasefire last year.
The KNU called on the new government of President Thei Sein to cease all offensive actions in the Karen State and KNU areas and withdraw its troops from all ethnic states. It also called for an end to human rights abuses and the use of child soldiers.
“In declaring this one-day ceasefire, the KNU is demonstrating its willingness to solve problems through peaceful political means. We respect the repeated requests of the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, and United Nations Secretary General, that there must be dialogue to solve the problems in Burma. We stand ready to enter into genuine dialogue at any time,” the statement said.
The KNU said it urged the UN Security Council to persuade President Thein Sein “to order a nationwide ceasefire, and engage in tripartite dialogue for the emergence of human rights and democracy, and a genuine federal union for lasting peace and security.”
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