Friday, 21 September 2012 15:16 Mizzima News
In recent years the KNU has observed a unilateral one-day ceasefire in honour of the United Nations International Day of Peace.
The KNU restated its commitment to work for a peaceful democratic Burma where human rights for all are respected, in a press statement on Friday.
“While provisional cease-fire agreements have been agreed in some ethnic states, the Burma Army continues its operation in Kachin State,” it said. “To demonstrate our commitment to peace, and respect for the United Nations, we call on the administration of President Thein Sein and the Burma Army to immediately halt all military operations in Kachin State on the International Day of Peace, which will be a step towards permanent cease-fire in the whole of Burma.”
For there to be a genuine and permanent peace there must be willingness by all sides to enter into political dialogue to address the root causes on conflict, and resolve it through political means, said the statement.
“The Karen National Union and other armed ethnic groups are accountable to the people and respect the will of the people,” it said. “In any dialogue, we will consult with our people to represent them and their civil society concerns.”
“Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to continue to work together with other armed ethnic groups, democratic forces and civil society. We also restate our commitment to a tri-partite dialogue so that all ethnic and political groups can be represented and a consensus can be reached which ensures any final agreement will have strong support and provide a stable foundation for genuine peace and democracy in our country,” said the statement.
In recent years the KNU has observed a unilateral one-day ceasefire in honour of the United Nations International Day of Peace.
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| Karen troops at an undisclosed location. Photo: Mizzima |
The KNU restated its commitment to work for a peaceful democratic Burma where human rights for all are respected, in a press statement on Friday.
“While provisional cease-fire agreements have been agreed in some ethnic states, the Burma Army continues its operation in Kachin State,” it said. “To demonstrate our commitment to peace, and respect for the United Nations, we call on the administration of President Thein Sein and the Burma Army to immediately halt all military operations in Kachin State on the International Day of Peace, which will be a step towards permanent cease-fire in the whole of Burma.”
For there to be a genuine and permanent peace there must be willingness by all sides to enter into political dialogue to address the root causes on conflict, and resolve it through political means, said the statement.
“The Karen National Union and other armed ethnic groups are accountable to the people and respect the will of the people,” it said. “In any dialogue, we will consult with our people to represent them and their civil society concerns.”
“Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to continue to work together with other armed ethnic groups, democratic forces and civil society. We also restate our commitment to a tri-partite dialogue so that all ethnic and political groups can be represented and a consensus can be reached which ensures any final agreement will have strong support and provide a stable foundation for genuine peace and democracy in our country,” said the statement.
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