The workshop attended by members of different ethnic organisations was organised by the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Center (ENAC).

Karen National Union (KNU)’s joint secretary (2) Pado Mahn Mahn, who participated in the workshop, told KIC News that amendments were made to the draft ethnic policies in line with what had been agreed upon at previous meetings.

He said: “Some amendments have been made. Since ENAC began drafting the ethnic affairs policies everyone’s suggestions have been included in them as we are also involved in the process [of drafting the ethnic affairs policies] making the amendments has not caused many conflicts. It was decided at the workshop that we need to use these policies as a base to shape political dialogue as necessary.”

The draft ethnic affairs policies cover nine topics. These are: education, health, farmland, tax collection, the natural environment, refugee affairs, humanitarian assistance and trade and investment.

The draft policies were developed in 2014 by the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), 12 political parties inside Burma, ethnic community based organisations (CBOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs).

When contacted by KIC Ko Kyaw Min Htike, the Youth Congress for Burma (SYCB) secretary said: ““We were always invited [to the workshop]. We are satisfied because [the drafted policies] are quite complete. Also, they [ENAC] took time to negotiate with the EAOs so they have obtained everything necessary for the [drafting of the policies]. As we were involved in this as well, we view these policies as our own policies.”

ENAC organised a similar meeting between representatives of ENAC, the Karen National Union (KNU) and Karen CSOs in Mae Sot, Thailand on 12 May.

Formed in July 2013 ENAC is an independent resource, training, and education center supporting the peace process and development of democratic institutions in Burma.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI