Statement released by the
eight ethnic armed groups
(in Burmese version)

Khun Myint Htun, the Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) said: “Now, we have already signed the NCA. However, it’s not exactly what we hoped for. The key is for both sides to respect the agreements and implement them. So, now we urge the government to provide, as soon as possible, humanitarian support to the refugees, who fled the war.”

U Aung Non, a joint-secretary of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) said: "At the moment, the number of refugees in Kachin State is not decreasing but only increasing. So, including rations, medical support is also needed.”

At present there are about 150,000 refugees in Kachin State, 100,000 in Karen State, 20,000 in Shan State and about 500 in Chin State.

Recent fighting between troops from the Burma Army and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) in Mong Hsu Township in central Shan State has also displaced approximately another 1,000 people who had to flee the fighting.

As well as calling for humanitarian aid for IDPs the statement also urged the government to release political prisoners and students who are in prison awaiting trial after demanding changes to the education system.

The groups' statement also called on the government to do three additional things.

First it called for a decrease in fighting to be followed by a complete cessation of fighting.

Second, it called on the Tatmadaw (Burma Army) to solve political problems through political dialogue as was agreed in the NCA.

Third, as both sides have agreed to the establishment of a federal union, they will have to enter into political discourse about how a federal union will be established in order to cement the NCA.

Eight ethnic armed groups and the government signed the NCA in front of international and national witnesses on 15 October at the Myanmar International Convention Center (2).

Reporter Aik Sai for IMNA

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI