Burma-Myanmar

Background

Since independence, internal armed conflicts have plagued Burma/Myanmar. The country has been governed since 1962 by a military junta, currently known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The conflicts have primarily affected the border regions, where approximately 30 armed non-State actors (NSAs) operate, eleven of which have signed cease-fire agreements with the government. The largest of the militarily active NSAs, fighting against the government, other NSAs or both, include the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA), the Karenni National Progressive Party/Karenni Army (KNPP/KA), the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army - South (RCSS/SSA-S), the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), and the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

The use of anti-personnel (AP) mines is extensive by both the army and NSAs. In addition, women and children are involved in, and affected by, the conflicts.

Activities

Geneva Call has been engaging NSAs in Burma/Myanmar in an AP mine ban since 2006. Dialogue with the political and military leaders of the NSAs is complemented by activities aimed at encouraging and supporting civil society organizations to undertake mine action activities, supporting efforts to create a change in the Myanmar government’s AP mine policy, and supporting the monitoring of the AP mine ban commitments made by NSAs. To date six NSAs have signed the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines:

• the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation/Rohingya National Army (ARNO), 2003.
• the National Unity Party of Arakan/Arakan Army (NUPA), 2003.
• the Chin National Front/Army (CNF/CNA), 2006.
• the Lahu Democratic Front (LDF), 2007.
• the Pa’O Peoples’ Liberation Organisation/Pa’O Peoples’ Liberation Army (PPLO/PPLA), 2007.
• the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), 2007.

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In addition, the and the KNU/KNLA have publicised their policies on AP mines, while two umbrella organisations, the (NDF) and the (DAB) released position statements on AP mine use in 2007. Several other NSAs have reviewed their AP mine use policies following discussions with Geneva Call. Mine action has also increased, with stockpiles being destroyed by the CNF/CNA and the LDF. Geneva Call has worked with (CIDKP) and the Karenni Social Welfare and Development Centre (KSWDC) to organize meetings with Karen and Karenni civil society to mobilize them in mine action.

Geneva Call has also been in dialogue with several NSAs with regards to the UN Security Council Resolution 1612 process on children in armed conflict.

For further information:

Geneva Call, 2011, Humanitarian Impact of Landmines in Burma/Myanmar, 26 January [Burmese Version] [English Version]

Geneva Call, 2010, Announcing Launch of Deed of Commitment on Children and Armed Conflict, 2 November.

Geneva Call, 2007, , Press release, 8 June.

LDF, 2007, , 16 April.

PSLF, 2007, , 16 April.

PPLO/PPLA, 2007, , 16 April.

Geneva Call, 2007, , Press Release, 16 April.

One-World, 2007, , 16 April.

Geneva Call, 2007, , Press Release, 28 February.

NDF, 2007, , 29 January.

KNPP, 2006, , 31 August.

KNPP, 2006, , 31 August.

Geneva Call, 2006, , Press Release, 10 August.

Geneva Call, 2003, , Press Release, 5 December.