The arrest of “Karen Martyr’s Day” organizers, Naw Ohn Hla and two young people has sparked a reaction from the Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC), who feel this has become a sensitive political issue.
In the interests of national reconciliation and confidence-building, the Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC) is calling for the government to drop all charges against the 69th Karen Martyrs’ Day organizer Naw Ohn Hla and others who face similar charges.
The Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC) was founded in March 2013 and is comprised of 96 members, including, Karen religious leaders, Karen armed group representatives, Karen political parties, Ministry of Karen Ethnic Affairs, Karen Civil Society Organizations, and Karen youths from different regions of the country.
Mehn Htein Win Sein a spokesperson for the KUPC said, this is “…not only [an issue for the] Karen people but also Burmese people ..and all ethnic people [who] are demonstrating against the arrest of Naw Ohn Hla and two Karen youths. This issue is quite sensitive in the period of federal union establishment. It could deeply hurt ethnic people’s feelings. Although they are not Karen, other ethnic [groups could also be] affected by this case. As the issue is reaching this point, I want to urge the President to consider this case,” Mehn Htein Win Sein told Mon News Agency.
The KUPC issued a statement on September 26, arguing there are relevant laws and agreements embedded in the peace process that warrant closer examination in this case. The KUPC cited, the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) that states that “people in the nation should acknowledge the national identity of all ethnic minorities along with culture, literature, language, and unique history, and Myanmar needs to acknowledge ethnic identities and diversities.” In addition, the KUPC statement added, “The Protection of National Race Rights Law (article 3 section 4 (d) allows people to celebrate their traditional and historical days.”
Via her Facebook page, Naw Ohn Hla called on supporters to raise concerns that the arrests amount to a violation of national basic rights, human rights and ethnic rights. Naw Ohn Hla is asking for supporters to send letters to the Amyotha Hluttaw [House of Nationalities] Ethnic Affairs Committees, Amyotha Hluttaw National basic Rights, Democracy and Human Rights Committees, Pyithu Hluttaw [House of Representatives] National Race Right committees, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission and Ministry of Ethnic National Affairs.
Naw Ohn Hla has been temporarily detained at Inn Sein prison and appeared in Kyauktada Township court on Friday. More than 300 Karen people assembled in the area. There will be a trial on October 2nd.
A KNU central committee member, Phado Mahn Nyein Maung told media, “Naw Ohn Hla prayed at Shwe Dagon Pagoda for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi when she was [under house arrest. They] should feel [some understanding] about [this case]. For [reasons related to] national reconciliation and confidence-building, so please dismiss the case. It is not an individual opinion, but it is [the opinion] of KNU.”
