Ahead of a hoped for national-level political dialogue, dozens of civil society groups in Rakhine State gathered last week to share issues and concerns, and to begin establishing a common consensus, according to representatives present at the gathering.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from townships across the state met at the Arr-thit teashop in Sittwe on February 16.
“The meeting was held in order to introduce the groups to each other. Many representatives of CSOs from various areas in Rakhine State took part in the meeting, which was sponsored by the Municipality Department of Rakhine State. They were invited to the introductory meeting together with some ethnic organizations’ leaders who live in the state,” U Thar Pwint, a leading member of the CSO representation committee, told Narinjara News.
“In cases of national concern, Rakhine people should have common ground.”
He added that at the meeting the local CSOs discussed previous joint campaign efforts, such as lobbying against the implementation of the so-called “white card” system, a form of temporary identification for people who otherwise lacked documents. The cards were revoked in early 2015 in favor of a light green alternative.
The Sittwe CSO meeting also aimed to organize township-level representation committees.
“There is a CSO representation committee in Sittwe. Other townships should form similar representation committees,” U Thar Pwint said.
A total of 74 civil society organizations participated in the recent Sittwe meeting.
Translated by Zin Linn
Edited by by Laignee Barron for BNI
