Sai Hsawng Hsi, elected representative from Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), said he had broached the subject of setting up Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps near the war zone in central Shan State, during the meeting with UN Rights Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana.
“Many are either hiding in the jungles or fleeing to the border,” he said. “We think setting up IDP camps around the war zone will be a better solution.”
More than 300 clashes have taken place in Hsipaw, Tangyan, Mongyai, Monghsu and Kehsi townships between the Burma Army and the Shan State Army (SSA) since March, according to resistance sources.
Hsawng Hsi had also discussed a new bill on the selection of ward and village heads. According to it, each 10 households will elect a representative and the ward/village head will be elected among the 10 household representatives among themselves. “I think the ward/village administrator should be elected directly by the ward/village community concerned,” he said.
His statements were in response to Quintana’s question: What are the MPs (Member of Parliament) planning to propose at the second regular session of the parliament which started on Monday, 22 August.
Asked whether the parties have plans to propose the release of political prisoners, he replied to SHAN, “We certainly do. However, officially there are no political prisoners in Myanmar (Burma). It means we will have to use another label to get the message through.”
The SNDP will also be discussing the party’s proposal on the allocation of state funds during the parliamentary session today.
19 elected representative from 17 parties including the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) met the UN envoy who has been on a 5-day visit since Sunday, 21 August.
