Burma: Ethnic Groups
(asked on 15th June 2015) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the nationwide ceasefire talks in Burma, and the prospects for peace in the ethnic states, particularly Kachin state.
This question was answered on 24th June 2015
On 31 March the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team and government negotiators successfully agreed a draft text of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA). Following this agreement, a series of consultations has taken place to discuss the detail of the Accord, including a meeting between 2 – 9 June in Karen State attended by over 100 representatives from 17 ethnic armed groups as well as UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Burma, Vijay Nambiar. As a result, amendments to the text were proposed, and the ethnic armed groups agreed to form a new committee, comprising more senior representatives, to engage in further negotiations with the Burmese government. Prospects for a NCA ahead of the elections in Burma scheduled for November 2015 remain uncertain. However, even in the absence of a NCA, we do not anticipate a return to widespread conflict. Bilateral ceasefires remain in place between the government and the majority of armed groups, and a timetable for further negotiations is being discussed. We remain actively engaged in the peace process and stand ready to provide whatever additional assistance is required.
On 31 March the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team and government negotiators successfully agreed a draft text of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA). Following this agreement, a series of consultations has taken place to discuss the detail of the Accord, including a meeting between 2 – 9 June in Karen State attended by over 100 representatives from 17 ethnic armed groups as well as UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Burma, Vijay Nambiar. As a result, amendments to the text were proposed, and the ethnic armed groups agreed to form a new committee, comprising more senior representatives, to engage in further negotiations with the Burmese government. Prospects for a NCA ahead of the elections in Burma scheduled for November 2015 remain uncertain. However, even in the absence of a NCA, we do not anticipate a return to widespread conflict. Bilateral ceasefires remain in place between the government and the majority of armed groups, and a timetable for further negotiations is being discussed. We remain actively engaged in the peace process and stand ready to provide whatever additional assistance is required.