Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), Government 12-Point Peace Agreement

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Country/entity: Myanmar
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), Government 12-Point Peace Agreement
Date: 19 May 2012
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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Myanmar ceasefires process with ethnic armed groups
Parties: signed by the Union Peacemaking Work (UPWC) and the Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) during a second round of peace talks on May 19, 2012 in Kengtung, Shan State
Third parties: -
Description: Short agreement outlining ceasefire provisions in addition to other confidence building measures and commitments to continue negotiations.

Agreement document: MM_120519_SSA-S-Government.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: Page 1, 3. The government will assist families of the RCSS/SSA members to earn adequate means of livelihood

Page 1, 12. National ID cards will be issued to members, family members and people residing with the RCSS/SSA

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
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, 5. The RCSS/SSA is permitted to request assistance from and coordinate with NGOs and INGOs

Page 1, 11. The RCSS/SSA is free to hold political consultations with individuals, groups and communities throughout the country
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: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, 6. The RCSS/SSA will be allowed to register its Tai Freedom news agency after the new media law comes into effect
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: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, 3. The government will assist families of the RCSS/SSA members to earn adequate means of livelihood

Page 1, 5. The RCSS/SSA is permitted to request assistance from and coordinate with NGOs and INGOs
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 1, 10. A special industrial zone will be set up in the area controlled by the RCSS/SSA
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: Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Promotion
Page 1, 4. The Government will assist the RCSS/SSA in the preservation and promotion of Shan literature and culture.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
[Summary] Although the agreement does not explicitly provide for a ceasefire, it was considered by all parties to be a ceasefire agreement, with cessation of hostilities related to broader issues of the process in the agreed points.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 3. The government will assist families of the RCSS/SSA members to earn adequate means of livelihood
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: Page 1, 1. The RCSS/SSA plan to cooperate in the eradication of illicit drugs
is heartily welcomed by the UPWC and it will be forwarded to the President for consideration
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Relief of other sanctions
Page 1, 9. The two sides will continue to build up mutual trust to enable the RCSS/SSA to be totally withdrawn from the list of unlawful associations.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, 7. Members and supporters of RCSS/SSA who are in prison will be released except for those who have been imprisoned on criminal charges
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

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, 8. A peace-monitoring group will be formed before the end of July 2012 after the nomination by the two sides of suitable persons
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Available under SSA-S section at https://www.mmpeacemonitor.org/1499

SSA-S Government 12-point peace agreement

19 May 2012

The 12-point peace agreement signed by the Union Peacemaking Work.

The government will assist the RCSS/SSA in the preservation and promotion of Committee (UPWC) and the Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) during a second round of peace talks on May 19, 2012 in Kengtung, Shan State.

Unofficial translation by the Shan Herald newspaper.

........................................................................................................................................

1. The RCSS/SSA plan to cooperate in the eradication of illicit drugs is heartily welcomed by the UPWC and it will be forwarded to the President for consideration

2. The two sides will conduct a joint field survey

3. The government will assist families of the RCSS/SSA members to earn adequate means of livelihood Shan literature and culture

5. The RCSS/SSA is permitted to request assistance from and coordinate with NGOs and INGOs

6. The RCSS/SSA will be allowed to register its Tai Freedom news agency after the new media law comes into effect

7. Members and supporters of RCSS/SSA who are in prison will be released except for those who have been imprisoned on criminal charges

8. A peace-monitoring group will be formed before the end of July 2012 after the nomination by the two sides of suitable persons

9. The two sides will continue to build up mutual trust to enable the RCSS/SSA to be totally withdrawn from the list of unlawful associations

10. A special industrial zone will be set up in the area controlled by the RCSS/SSA

11. The RCSS/SSA is free to hold political consultations with individuals, groups and communities throughout the country

12. National ID cards will be issued to members, family members and people residing