12-Point Agreement of Union Peace-making work committee and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) Union-level Peace Talks

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Country/entity: Myanmar
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: 12-Point Agreement of Union Peace-making work committee and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) Union-level Peace Talks
Date: 10 Aug 2013
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Myanmar Conflict (1948 - )
Internal conflict, mostly along ethno-political fault lines, has been a constant feature of Myanmar since its independence in 1948. The conflict has two distinct dynamics. First a struggle between an authoritarian government and a pro-democracy opposition which has the characteristics of authoritarian conflicts; and second a stuggle between the government and ethnic armed groups which has the characteristics of an identity conflict. The two oldest and strongest militias fighting the government are the Karen National Union (KNU), which has remained active since the late 1940s, and the Kachin Independence Organisation, which was formed in the early 1960s. In total, here are more than a dozen mostly ethnic-based guerrilla groups active throughout the country. Especially in the period of junta dictatorship that lasted until 2011 the government attempted to crush the rebellions, which led to numerous human rights violations. With the start of democratic reforms in the aftermath of the 2010 elections, peace negotiations have taken place and resulted in the signing of various agreements, although conflicts remain active.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Myanmar ceasefires process with ethnic armed groups
Parties: All Burma Students' Democratic Front; Union Peace-making work committee (Myanmar Government)
Third parties: -
Description: Short ceasefire agreement agreeing to Nationwide Ceasefire, forming an independent monitoring team, to carry on discussions for the purposes of inclusion and removing ABSDF members from the blacklist, to have the right to liase with NGOs, and engage with news agencies, among other aspects.

Agreement document: MM_130810_12-Point Agreement of Union Peace-making work committee and ABSDF Union-level Peace Talks.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): MM_130810_12-point agreement of ABSDF and UPWC_BUR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 1, 5. To continue holding discussions on democratic affairs, national equality and autonomy which are proposed by ABSDF;
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, 3. To officially invite political forces, political parties and organizations and persons for their inclusiveness in the country's political processes;

Page 1, 8. To have rights to liaise with local and foreign based NGOs and CBOs in line with the existing laws;
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Equality
Page 1, 5. To continue holding discussions on democratic affairs, national equality and autonomy which are proposed by ABSDF;
Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Freedom of association
Page 1, 6. To have rights to independently hold discussions and meetings on the results of ABSDF's political talks, political stands and processes with the people and people-based organizations in accord with the laws;

Page 1, 8. To have rights to liaise with local and foreign based NGOs and CBOs in line with the existing laws;
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 1, 5. To continue holding discussions on democratic affairs, national equality and autonomy which are proposed by ABSDF;
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, 9. To have rights to engage with news agencies and media freely and independently;
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, 1. To make efforts for ensuring nation-wide cease-fire through the accountability and responsibility by both sides;
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 11. To agree to draft Code of Conduct in principle which are to be abided by both army;
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Relief of other sanctions
Page 1, 7. To hold continued discussions on the removal of ABSDF members from the blacklist and the cancelation of the charged members in accord with the law;
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, 4. To carry out continued discussions and scrutinizing by the remaining political prisoners scrutinizing committee for the release of all political prisoners;
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, 12. To set the date for second Union-level talks in the coming November;

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 1, 2. To agree to form an independent monitoring team in principle for ceasefires and local peacemaking processes;
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Hard copy on file with C. Bell.

12-Point Agreement of Union Peace-making Work Committee and ABSDF Union level peace talks

To make efforts for ensuring nation-wide cease-fire through the accountability and responsibility by both sides;

To agree to form an independent monitoring team in principle for ceasefires and local peacemaking processes;

To officially invite ·political forces, political parties and organizations and persons for their inclusiveness in the country's political processes;

To carry out continued discussions and scrutinizing by the remaining political prisoners scrutinizing committee for the release of all political prisoners;

To continue holding discussions on democratic affairs, national equality and autonomy which are proposed by ABSDF;

To have rights to independently hold discussions and meetings on the results of ABSDF's political talks, political stands and processes with the people and people-based organizations in accord with the laws;

To hold continued discussions on the removal of ABSDF members from the blacklist and the cancelation of the charged members in accord with the law;

To have rights to liaise with local and foreign based NGOs and CBOs in line with the existing laws;

To have rights to engage with news agencies and media freely and independently;

To continue making coordination on opening of liaison offices in Kalay, Payathonsu, Muse and Loikaw which are suggested by ABSDF for smooth operation of communication channels including local peace-making processes and ceasefires;

To agree to draft Code of Conduct in principle which are to be abided by both army;

To set the date for second Union-level talks in the coming November;