The Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) met with a number of civil society organizations (CSOs), led by the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), and community-based organizations (CBOs) based on the Thai-Burmese border this past weekend. The meeting between the NCCT, CBOs and CSOs, the first of its kind, was held from 22nd-23rd November in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.
“Mainly, the topics discussed at the meeting included the participation of the women’s sector in the peace process, how the ceasefire agreement can provide protection for women and children, and how those who have violated [citizens’] human rights would be punished. The NCCT must include these topics and lay down respective policies the next time they meet with the government side [in national ceasefire talks],” said Daw Tin Tin Nyo, General Secretary of the WLB.
Daw Tin Tin Nyo continued that when the NCCT next meets with the government, the CBOs and CSOs urged the NCCT to address the issue concerning freedoms afforded CBOs and CSOs to monitor human rights abuse cases and observe the peace.
“For us [CBOs and CSOs], we expected to work closely with the public. At the same time, we urged that not only the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), but also the NCCT, gather the pubic and rally their support, because the government side has also been gathering people by organizing a youth forum. So, the ethnic leaders must pay more attention to this matter,” said Daw Tin Tin Nyo.
The NCCT agreed to meet regularly with CBOs and CSOs before engaging in ceasefire talks with the government’s Union Peace-Making Working Committee (UPWC).
“At the moment, [the] NCCT mainly focuses on [the] ceasefire issue. Now, we have had good input, which resulted in a good outcome from meeting with CBOs and CSOs all together. We also want to get to know more organizations from particular townships and areas [which were not represented at the meeting],” said Nai Hongsar.
Nai Hongsar stated that during the meeting, the NCCT explained to the community organizations the process involved in nationwide ceasefire talks with the government’s UPWC, and accepted advice provided by the organizations.
About 42 representatives from 25 organizations attended the meeting, including the Karen Human Rights Group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the Kachin Women’s Association of Thailand (KWAT), the Karen Women’s Union, as well as various media outlets. Secretary Khun Oo Reh of the UNFC and Nai Hongsar, Ko Htun Zaw, and Colonel Sai Htoo of the NCCT were also present.
