Statement No# 001/05/ LD- 12
Today, January 12th, 2012, marks 49th
anniversary of Palaung national resistance against military dictatorship
in Burma for the national liberation. In this auspicious day, the
Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) would like to salute to those of
Palaung martyrs, respectable leaders, our heroes and heroines, who have
sacrificed and contributed their lives and sweat and properties in the
Palaung national struggle throughout 49 years against the unjust Burmese
rules, with the objectives of freedom from repression, for equality,
for self-determination of Palaung people, for promoting democracy and
human rights, and for establishing a genuine federal union in Burma.
The military regime hold 2010 elections with many alleged vote
riggings and frauds, under 2008 constitution which was again unjustly
forced to endorse in a forged referendum, then formed a sham civilian
government. Although the new government has been claiming introducing
for democratic reforms, civil war has been intensifying in ethnic areas
since after the installation of new government and many ethnic civilians
are forced to displace by fighting and their livelihoods are damaged.
The ethnic populations are struggling with tremendous hardships since
after so-called newly elected government, because of intensifying
conflict in their area and by oppression by authorities. Additionally,
the political prisoners, who were illegally charged with false
accusations and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, are yet to be
released and still incarcerating their terms in many inhumane prisons.
Despite the government has been initiating peace talks with some
ethnic groups, military offensives are still raging against other ethnic
groups. It is crucial to end these military offensives against ethnic
nationality groups, if the government is sincere to build a genuine
peace in Burma, and it is necessary to solve the problems by political
means. If the government is just pursuing talks just with intention of
divide-and-rule tactic and conducting temporary ceasefire merely for a
window dressing show, a sustainable peace cannot be prevailed in the
country.
Under the so-called new civilian administration, the fighting between
the government forces and Kachin, Shan ethnic forces are increasingly
raging and which cause tremendous hardships for Palaung population
living close to the fighting areas. At the time of fighting, many
Palaung villagers from Namkham, Manton, Maiwee, Kutkai, and Namhsan
townships are forced to conscript as porters and combatants in the
fighting fields while others are forcedly violated for their human
rights, including forcing for their labor and frequently demanding of
unjust tax and properties.
Under the new setting, Palaung self-administrative area is
acknowledged by the central government at least on the paper, however,
the local authority has no real power to manage their affairs and has to
work mostly under control by military leaders. Moreover, the state-led
development projects, such as hydropower dam construction, trans-Burma
pipeline to China, cause exacerbating negative effects against the local
population, such as confiscation of their lands and frequent use of
their forced labor. The Palaung populations are also struggling hardly
with the drug program and the downfall of market for their main product,
tea.
The PSLF and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA),
in cooperation with other ethnic forces, has been trying to expand
their control area in Palaung region, in order to protect Palaung people
who are feeling insecure for their lives and properties under the
government control and who are facing human rights violation in their
daily lives, and to promote their well-being. Meanwhile, the PSLF and
TNLA are committed to contribute their efforts to build a “Union Army”
under guidance of United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and to
continue their struggle against unjust and oppressive rule of Burmese
military. For that reason, the PSLF would like to urge Palaung
nationalities, particular to patriotic youth to join in the TNLA and its
struggle.
Finally, PSLF would like to urge Palaung people to join united in the
struggle to liberate their lives from oppression and unjust rule at the
auspicious occasion of 49th Palaung national resistance day.
“A genuine autonomous and self-determinable Ta’ang region shall be established”.
Central Executive Committee
Palaung State Liberation Front
(PSLF)
January 12, 2012.
January 12, 2012.
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