Julia Marip, the WLB General Secretary told KIC News that ongoing fighting between the Burma Army and ethnic armed groups in Kachin State and Shan State are a serious concern for the 21st Century Panglong Conference, which is also known as the Union Peace Conference.

She said: “We were worried about the establishment of genuine peace in the peace process during the last government’s administration because of the increase in offensives by the [Burmese] military. Now this military issue still exists in the new government’s administration so we are worried and we feel suspicious, even if the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference is to be held. That’s why we are telling them [the military] to stop their offensives before this conference starts.”

During a meeting with the Joint Monitoring Committee (Union-level) (JMC-U) in Naypyidaw on 27 April, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that the new government plans to hold the 21st Century Panglong Conference in August or September and will try to include all ethnic armed organisations (EIOs) in the conference.

While the all-inclusive conference has been welcomed ongoing conflict between the Burma Army and EAOs that have not yet signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) is worrying many in the political community, who have called for a halt to all fighting.

The WLB statement also said that the ongoing military conflicts had resulted in human rights violations and an increase in internally displaced people (IDPs). It also called for government action to ensure that justice is achieved and for the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to people displaced by war.

The WLB was founded on 9 December 1999 by 13 women’s organisations to promote women’s participation in: democracy, human rights, the peace process and improving women’s lives.

Reported by S’Phan Shaung for KIC News
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI