Union-level agreement between Pa-Oh National Organization (PNLO) and Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC)

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Country/entity: Myanmar
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Union-level agreement between Pa-Oh National Organization (PNLO) and Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC)
Date: 23 Mar 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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Myanmar ceasefires process with ethnic armed groups
Parties: Pa-Oh National Organization (PNLO) and Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC); Representatives from PNLO
U Khun Okkar (Chairman)
U Khun Myint Htun (General Secretary)
Representatives from UPWC
U Aung Min (Union Minister)
U Khin Mg Soe (Union Minister)
Third parties: -
Description: Ceasefire agreement with other clauses pertaining to the distribution of national identity cards, development projects, and a continuation of political talks.

Agreement document: MM_130323_pnlo_govt_union_level_agreement_eng.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): MM_130323_pnlo_govt_agreement_BUR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Page 1-2, Youth, Women and Labour
8.
(a) To help the coordination and promotion of Pa-O youth, women and workers
(b) To promote the participation of youth, women and laborers at each level of the political process
(c) To permit the Pa-O national conference, youth conference, women conference and labour conference in accordance with the law
... (e) To permit promoting the empowerment of youth, women and labors
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: Groups→Social class→Substantive
Page 1-2, Youth, Women and Labour
8.
(a) To help the coordination and promotion of Pa-O youth, women and workers
(b) To promote the participation of youth, women and laborers at each level of the political process
(c) To permit the Pa-O national conference, youth conference, women conference and labour conference in accordance with the law
... (e) To permit promoting the empowerment of youth, women and labors

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 1-2, Youth, Women and Labour
8.
(a) To help the coordination and promotion of Pa-O youth, women and workers
(b) To promote the participation of youth, women and laborers at each level of the political process
(c) To permit the Pa-O national conference, youth conference, women conference and labour conference in accordance with the law
... (e) To permit promoting the empowerment of youth, women and labors
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

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: Relief, Resettlement, Anti-Narcotics and Development
5.
... (b) Based on the constitution, the government must provide Humanitarian aid during a crisis
(c) PNLO has the permission to cooperate with INGOs and NGOs
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, Youth, Women and Labour
8. ...(d) To permit the establishment of social networks, media, publications and broadcasting businesses
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, Relief, Resettlement, Anti-Narcotics and Development
5.
(b) Based on the constitution, the government must provide Humanitarian aid during a crisis
... (d) PNLO will cooperate with Union government, State government and local authorities to implement education, healthcare, agriculture-based development
... (f) Union government must assist agriculture-based development
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 1, Relief, Resettlement, Anti-Narcotics and Development
5.
(b) Based on the constitution, the government must provide Humanitarian aid during a crisis
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Page 1, Relief, Resettlement, Anti-Narcotics and Development
5.
(a) PNLO will submit a proposal for Ka Du Gyi and Mae Aww road construction to the Union government
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 1, Economics
6. In accordance with the current constitution, PNLO can establish companies to conduct businesses related to mining, logging, cement, hotels and warehouses.
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, Ceasefire
1. On August 25, 2012, PNLO and state government authorities signed a ceasefire agreement to halt fighting. If other armed groups enter the PNLO controlled area, UPWC must help to solve the problem.
Code of Conduct
2. Code of Conduct must be uniform for all ceasefire groups. Both sides agreed to study and review the terms.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 1, Demining
7. The two sides agreed to cooperate with the government's demining department in removing landmines along the Ka Du Gyi – Mae Aww road
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: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 2, Political dialogue
9. Both sides agreed to continue political talks after the PNLO and UPWC sign a union level ceasefire agreement

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: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Myanmar Peace Center (n.d.) Union Level agreement between PNLO and UPWC, https://www.mmpeacemonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/20130323_pnlo_govt_union_level_agreement_eng.pdf (Accessed 14 October 2020).

Union Level agreement between PNLO and UPWC

(unofficial translation)

23 March 2013 Myanmar Peace Center, Yangon

Ceasefire

1. On August 25, 2012, PNLO and state government authorities signed a ceasefire agreement to halt fighting.

If other armed groups enter the PNLO controlled area, UPWC must help to solve the problem.

Code of Conduct

2. Code of Conduct must be uniform for all ceasefire groups.

Both sides agreed to study and review the terms.

Liaison Office and Economic office

3. In accordance with the state level peace agreement, a liaison office has been opened in Taunggyi city.

Both sides agreed to open other liaison offices in Hsee Hsai and Mauk Mae, as well as a business office in Tha Htone city.

National Identity Card

4. Both sides agreed that the UPWC will help PNLO members and other civilians to obtain official national identity cards.

Relief, Resettlement, Anti-Narcotics and Development

5.(a) PNLO will submit a proposal for Ka Du Gyi and Mae Aww road construction to the Union government

(b) Based on the constitution, the government must provide Humanitarian aid during a crisis

(d) PNLO will cooperate with Union government, State government and local authorities to implement education, healthcare, agriculture-based development

(e) Union government must help anti-narcotic operations

(f) Union government must assist agriculture-based development

Economics

6. In accordance with the current constitution, PNLO can establish companies to conduct businesses related to mining, logging, cement, hotels and warehouses.

Demining

7. The two sides agreed to cooperate with the government's demining department in removing landmines along the Ka Du Gyi – Mae Aww road

Youth, Women and Labour

8. ( a) To help the coordination and promotion of Pa-O youth, women and workers

(b) To promote the participation of youth, women and laborers at each level of the political process

(c) To permit the Pa-O national conference, youth conference, women conference and labour conference in accordance with the law

(d) To permit the establishment of social networks, media, publications and broadcasting businesses

(e) To permit promoting the empowerment of youth, women and labors

Political dialogue

9. Both sides agreed to continue political talks after the PNLO and UPWC sign a union level ceasefire agreement

(Remark:

PNLO is a member of the UNFC and will ensure political discussions are inline with the group)

Discussion policy

10. Irrespective of group size, both sides will continue to discuss all difficulties, problems and disagreements in accordance with this agreement.

Representatives from PNLO

U Khun Okkar (Chairman)

U Khun Myint Htun (General Secretary)

Representatives from UPWC

U Aung Min (Union Minister)

U Khin Mg Soe (Union Minister)