The Elders: Myanmar’s Grassroots Should Have a Role in National Reforms, Peace Talks

By The Elders • March 29, 2014

CHIANG MAI (Thailand) – The Elders encourage the government of Myanmar to strive for greater inclusiveness, to overcome decades of mistrust within society and reflect the full diversity and talents of Myanmar’s population.

Myanmar would gain from more inclusive consultation processes, said former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, both members of The Elders, as they concluded a five-day visit to Myanmar and Thailand (24-28 March).

They note that upcoming political milestones – the nationwide census, debates over constitutional reform, the peace process, and the 2015 presidential elections – would benefit from a wider dialogue if Myanmar is to ensure its long-term stability and prosperity.

In Nay Pyi Taw (24-25 March), Myanmar’s capital, they had in-depth discussions with President U Thein Sein, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces), Thura Shwe Mann (Speaker of the Parliament) and U Aung Min (Minister in the President’s Office in charge of the peace process).

Among the topics they discussed were democratic reform, the nationwide census and the challenges of constitutional change. They also discussed prospects for the peace process with the ethnic groups.

They then travelled to Myitkyina (25-26 March) to learn about the unresolved conflict in Kachin State. They met with Chief Minister La John Ngan Sai and his cabinet, and civil society including local elders and peace-building groups. They also visited a camp in the outskirts of the city for people displaced by the conflict, and heard from youth groups trying to address social ailments such as drug addiction and other problems resulting from the growing illegal drug trade.

Commenting on the Elders’ visits to Nay Pyi Taw and Kachin State, Gro Harlem Brundtland, said:

“As the President himself told us during this visit, Myanmar is a young democracy. We would add that it is also an ambitious one, blessed with an incredibly diverse and energetic civil society wanting to fully operate within the democratic process.

“We met many inspiring groups striving to make a positive impact. We believe the Government should find ways to recognise and consult these constituencies – women’s groups, ethnic groups, youth groups. From the nationwide census to prospects for large-scale development projects, we heard concerns that citizens’ perspectives are not being taken into account.

“Democratic participation is also a requirement for long-term peace. Conflicts often weaken or suspend democracy, while democratic institutions designed to build nationwide consensus reduce the risk of internal conflict. All parties to the conflict should contribute wisely and constructively to help bring about this new beginning.”

In Thailand (27-28 March), the Elders visited Mae La refugee camp and Mae Tao Clinic, on the Thailand-Myanmar border, to observe the long-term impact of the internal conflict and study the well-established service structures established by exiled communities as a result of more than 60 years of civil war.

In Chiang Mai, the Elders met with women’s groups to discuss the role of women in the peace process and national reforms. They also met representatives of the ethnic armed groups to hear their perspective on current ceasefire negotiations.

Commenting on the visit to Mae La refugee camp and Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand, Martti Ahtisaari said:

“The communities living across the border, in Thailand, tell a story of hardship and discrimination. It is families in the ethnic border regions who have suffered the most from decades of civil war; who have fled villages through difficult terrains to reach these places for safety.

“But there is also a story, there, of resilience and hope. It is very impressive to see how these communities have, with international support, built good quality clinics, schools and expertise over several decades. This human capacity, inside Myanmar and in exile, is the very basis upon which to build lasting peace and still needs the support of the international community.

“Once a nationwide ceasefire can be agreed by all sides, hopefully soon, there is an opportunity for further trust-building by integrating these services – these doctors and teachers – into the country’s own structures. A country needs a productive, skilled and healthy population ruled by mutual interest and trust.”

In Myitkyina, the Elders met with the Kachin Women Union, Sha-it, a group of students, and a member of the National Democratic Force. Upon arriving in the country, the Elders met with Kachin activist Seng Raw in Yangon.

In Mae Sot, they met organisations including the Karen Women’s Organization, Karen Department of Health and Welfare, Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People, Karen Education Department, Karen Youth Organization, and Karen Human Rights Group.

In Chiang Mai, they met the Women’s League of Burma and representatives of the United Nationalities Federal Council.

The visit forms part of The Elders’ medium-term work in Myanmar. Following a first visitby Jimmy Carter (former US President), Martti Ahtisaari and Gro Harlem Brundtland in September 2013, the Elders will remain engaged with the democratisation process.

About The Elders
The Elders are independent leaders using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. The group was founded by Nelson Mandelain 2007.

The Elders are Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan (Chair), Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem Brundtland (Deputy Chair), Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Hina Jilani, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo. Desmond Tutu is an honorary Elder.

Media inquiries:
Photos of the visit are available on Flickr. Photo credit: Kaung Htet/The Elders.
Please note the Elders are not available for follow-up interviews.

International contact:
Elliott Fox, Media Officer, The Elders
M: +44 7795 693 903
[email protected]

Myanmar contact:
Soe Thu Htun, Mango Media
T +95 (0) 9 4500 01087
[email protected]

Tags: Democracy, The Elders

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The Elders: Myanmar’s Grassroots Should Have a Role in National Reforms, Peace Talks

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