Shan tribes calls for ethnic basic rights, peace in Kachin State

Shan tribes calls for ethnic basic rights, peace in Kachin State

Published on Sunday, 18 August 2013 15:44

Shan Tribes Association (Interim) of Kachin State sent a letter to UN special rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana on Thursday to look into the plight of the ethnic people, as well the prospect of peace, in the war-affected Kachin State.

In their letter, the Shan Tribes Association said that the Shan ethnic people make up two-third of the total population in Kachin State and have been living together with other ethnic tribes in the plains for many centuries. The Shan people had to move to more secure towns and villages after the war broke out between the military and the Kachin Independence Army in June 2011.

"Quintana didn't seem to know much about other ethnic tribes inside the [Kachin] State. He looked surprised when I told him. The Shans are stuck in the State. The more the armed conflicts last, the more difficulties they have to face. That's why we have asked for peace to be restored quickly and to give special consideration to the basic rights of other ethnic people besides the Kachins," said Sai Sein Linn, leader of the Shan Tribes Association, who submitted the letter to Quintana.

"Even though we are the majority, we never get minister or state chairman positions. As we didn't hold arms, we didn't receive the same rights both politically and ethnically. We want to receive the same rights rather than focusing on who was right or wrong in the history," said a representative leader of Khani Shan tribe.

The Shan tribes' leaders have also met with Vice President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham and discussed about literature, cultural, and other issues.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/19/shan-tribes-calls-for-ethnic-basic-rights-peace-in-kachin-state/