In a joint statement issued, the Mon Youth Progressive Organization (MYPO) has condemned the Burmese government’s pressure on the largest Mon political group to disarm, and sides with the same Mon group in its stance of conditional refusal to participate in the 2010 election.
On the 3rd and 4th of November, the MYPO held their 2nd conference along the Thai-Burma border, bringing together Mon youth groups and people from around Mon state to determine the youth communities’ long term goals and plans of action. Decisions regarding planning and community goals were made based on discussions surrounding the current political situation and climate in Mon state, according to participants According to one MYPO representative, Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann, their decision to support the New Mon State Part (NMSP) comes from the party’s decision to continue to fight for equal national rights for Mon people and the goal of a achieving a democratic Burma.
“If the government doesn’t reform the 2008 constitutions, the NMSP will disagree and refuse to participate in the 2010 election. If we have no promise of self determination, they will refuse to split their party and army,” Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann explained. “They will not accept a change to a border guard force (BGF) by demolishing the army. I believed that this best political option we have. Thus we decided to take our position as one political group, to provide support [for the NMSP] and put pressure on the Burmese junta.”
Over the last 5 months the Burmese military has worked to convince the ethnic ceasefire groups located on its borer to accept a proposal to reduce their armed wings to a BGF, comprised of ethnic soldiers and a contingent of Burmese military officers. The formation of a single army under the government is a requirement of the constitution that was rewritten in 2008. The formation of the 2008 constitution is part of the proposed 7-step roadmap leading to the 2010 election.
Previously the MYPO reported that it was unable to observe the process leading to the formation of the 2008 constitution. However having seen the 2008 constitution, if the Burmese government continued to pursue the 2010 election, the result would be a near impossibility of achieving a Democracy for all of Burma and obtaining equal rights ethnic groups across the country.
Nai Nyan Seik Ra Mann explained of the MYPO’s recent statement, “This government [is planning to] go forward with the 2010 election; we will oppose the way the new government is formed. We also decided at Mon Youth Seminar that we will be accept the NMSP and MNDF [Mon National Democratic Front] status as leaders. We will continue to surround them and follow their lead."
“The MYPO’s position is a good stance. But they have not reported in their statement any stance on finding a Mon representative who could participate in the 2010 election,” stated Nai Asohnvi, a youth from the Mon Affairs Union [MAU]. “They were very good to accept the NMSP leadership but they should get the acceptance of and agreement from other party’s opinions and suggestions [too]. During the Last youth seminar we decided that a person who delegates for Mon youth should have their own independently decided position.”
The MYPO has worked educating and organizing Mon youth since its formation 2001. After the 2nd conference, a new generation of MYPO leadership was voted into office. Those who have been elected will server to the next conference in 10 years.
