MPs: Everybody must join up to reconcile
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Myanmar's national reconciliation process requires constructive cooperation between the government, military, parliament and locals as well as the abolition of draconian laws, politicians, ethnic leaders and MPs say.
“National reconciliation means seeking positive cooperation by adhering to our own conviction. We cannot seek national reconciliation without exposing the truth. We must raise strong criticism and point out weaknesses. National reconciliation does not mean doing what we have been asked,” Ko Ko Gyi from the ’88 Generation Peace and Open Society said.
The former political prisoner is also a member of the government-formed Rakhine Conflict Investigation Commission and of the committee for scrutinising the remaining prisoners of conscience.
Political analysts said it is difficult to build trust between the government, ethnic armed groups and politicians, though President Thein Sein is confident in Myanmar’s prospects for national reconciliation.
The president voiced this belief in a radio address after the Union Day ceremony in February when he met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of the ethnic armed groups and political parties.
A member of the Peace Creation Group (PCG) said it was necessary to amend or get rid of the country’s draconian laws and pass new laws for national reconciliation efforts.
“It is vital to build trust for reconsolidating, but the government is very weak in trust-building, which does not require words alone, but also practical deeds. Laws oppressing the ethic people and politicians should be abolished,” PCG’s Hsan Aung said.
PCG is brokering peace talks between the government’s union level peace working committee and the Kachin Independence Organisation.
Veteran politician Hanthawady Win Tin said: “The government should have transparency in the issues of ethnic groups and political prisoners. They also need to abolish repressive laws. There must be constructive cooperation in national reconciliation efforts.”
National reconciliation must enlist the strength of all such as the government, political parties, the public, national races and media, MP Win Htein explained.
He said Suu Kyi’s presence at the Armed Forces Day ceremony on March 27 at the invitation of the government was a step forward in national reconciliation, though much more was needed for national reconciliation with ethnic minorities.
