Unlawful association law should not exist: Suu Kyi

Monday, 09 April 2012 14:13 Lynn Bo Bo

Rangoon (Mizzima) – Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Sunday that the unlawful association law should be repealed, in discussions with Karen National Organizations (KNU) leaders. 

Aung San Suu Kyi and KNU General-Secretary Zipporrah Sein talk to the media at the home of Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Sunday, April 8, 2012. A KNU delegation met with President Thien Sein on Saturday in Naypyitaw, as it engages with the central government to try to resolve the decades-long civil war. Photo: Mizzima/Min Min Oo

The KNU, now in ongoing peace talks with the government, has been declared unlawful organization by the government for decades.

After meeting with Suu Kyi at her home in Rangoon, KNU General-Secretary Zipporah Sein said the KNU discussed the “unlawful association” law when they met with President Thein Sein in Naypyitaw on Saturday. The law, in general, was a major concern of KNU officials and the Karen people, who have frequently been charged under it and sent to prison.

Zipporah Sein said they briefed Suu Kyi on their peace talks with the government and discussed the future peace process and national reconciliation.

She said the KNU also discussed the needs of other ethnic groups in their talk with the government. “We discussed what we need, how we can achieve a real cease-fire process, not just for the Karen but for the other ethnic groups.”

Aung San Suu Kyi was elected last week to the Lower House from Kawhmu constituency, an area dominated by Karen on the outskirts of Rangoon.

“We had three main issues in our election campaign,” Suu Kyi said. “They are internal peace, rule of law and amending the Constitution. We will continue to work for national reconciliation by integrating these three issues.”

The KNU and the government have been at war for six decades. It signed a cease-fire agreement on January 12.

Zipporah Sein said that Thein Sein appeared to be sincere in trying to implement genuine peace in the country. The KNU has not yet discussed forming as a political party, she said, which is one of the steps in establishing a long-lasting peace, according to the government.

KNU peace delegation member and information department head Naw May Oo said the release of KNU central committee member Pado Mahn Nyein Maung on March 19 under a presidential executive order while he was serving a life prison term in Insein Prison created trust between the KNU and the central government.