STATEMENTS BY IID AND ITS NETWORKS
Press Releases ArchiveA call for an inclusive and sustainable peace process in Burma/Myanmar
Yesterday, October 15, 2015, marked the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) between the Myanmar/Burma government and eight (8) of the country’s ethnic armed groups that, for almost five decades, have been fighting for their right to self – determination. Said peace accord, also known as the “framework for political dialogue” was declared a top priority by the government when former top Army general Thein Sein assumed office in 2011.
t is however sad to note that peace will more likely remain elusive for the peoples of Myanmar as more than half of the ethnic groups involved in the peace process have declined to participate in today’s peace pact ceremony amid questions of the accord not being fully inclusive.
GPPAC-SEA STATEMENT ON THE CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
During this year’s celebration of the International Day of Peace, we, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Southeast Asia (GPPAC-SEA), lend our voice to some of the most invisible and disenfranchised sectors in our society. There are other sectors that are equally invisible, but in light of the recent developments in the region and around the globe, we seek to highlight the plight of women, of indigenous and ethnic peoples, and the hundreds of thousands of peoples who are stateless and internally displaced.
ADN Celebrates International Day of Democracy: “Space for Civil Society”
Asia Democracy Network welcomes the theme of this year’s International Day of Democracy, “Space for Civil Society.” This year’s International Day of Democracy comes at a point where space for civil society, a core part of sustaining democratic societies, is being threatened and shrunken. While democracy is widely recognized as a universal value and ideal, its practices and systems seem to have become more fragile than ever all around the world.
Never say ‘never’ to peace and BBL
By now, many pundits, observers and even some supporters of the original draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) have given up on its passage.
They say it will be difficult, foolhardy and too late to pass a bill that will retain the novel provisions that have practically disappeared in the substitute bill now pending in the House of Representatives.
IID/APCET TO BE CONFERRED HIGHEST TIMOR LESTE CIVILIAN AWARD
While leading now the All-Out Peace (AOP) campaign for an inclusive and just Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the Philippines, the Davao-based regional advocacy and solidarity organization Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) will be conferred the highest civilian award in Timor Leste this week for their similar role in leading the campaign in the region for East Timor’s self determination more than a decade ago.
We are all for a just BBL! We are all for a just Peace!
On Monday, May 11, the members of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives will cast their votes on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL. Their votes will determine the fate, success or failure, not just of the proposed law but the future of a just peace, genuine progress and social justice in our country.