Statement on the current peace process and implementation of mega-development projects in Karen areas of Burma

Karen People’s Forum
Papun District, Karen Stat
June 11, 2012

Statement on the current peace process and implementation of mega-development projects in Karen areas of Burma

From June 5-7, 2012, over sixty people, including local democratically-elected development committee leaders, representing about 7,000 villagers from 23 villages in two townships, met at the Karen State-Thai border to discuss the current peace negotiation process between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the government.  The purpose of the forum, facilitated by Karen civil society, was to allow input by Karen farmers and other community-based groups into the current peace process and publicly share this with all relevant stakeholders.  These groups have been taking responsibility for local development work for the last fifteen years and therefore had strong concerns about the impact of the government’s current development policies in their areas. 

The villagers discussed the above subjects at the forum and came up with the following recommendations:

Current peace process

1)      The peace process must be genuine, transparent and sustainable.

2)      The government must withdraw all its troops based in villages and in areas where villagers carry out their livelihoods, so that villagers can have freedom to re-establish their livelihoods.

3)      Land mines in Karen State must be removed.

4)      All forms of forced labor and arbitrary taxation must be stopped. There must be constitutional guarantees that people can own their land and farm freely.

5)      Internally displaced persons must not be pressured to return to their homes while Burmese troops remain in their areas, and landmines have not been removed;

6)      Any plans for return and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons must be drawn up together with local Karen community-based organizations, and must guarantee the security of villagers; special provisions must be made for the protection and welfare of women and children.

Mega-development projects

1)      During the peace negotiation process, large-scale economic investment must be suspended

2)      Political negotiations between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the government must address the issue of local ownership of resources

3)      In order for mega-development projects to proceed, there must be legal safeguards and policies which guarantee the following:

·         The people must have full access to all relevant information and facts about planned projects.

·         Before projects start, there must be transparent, independent environmental and social impact assessments which include the impacts on women and children.

·         Local villagers must participate freely in decision-making around any development projects. These projects must not harm our culture and lands, and must ensure that our ancestral natural heritage is preserved.  

·         If the projects have any destructive impacts, the affected people must receive fair compensation according to agreed upon rates. There must also be complaint mechanisms for affected people.

Humanitarian aid

1)      Humanitarian funds and programs must support and build upon existing community development programs operated by villagers and community based organizations.

 Contacts:

Saw Htoo Klei
Phone: 0861912165