I acknowledge that I am speaking from the land of the Bundjalung Nation in which my home town of Lismore sits.
Mr Speaker-Chair of the CRPH U Aung Kyi Nyunt MP, CRPH Members Chairs of CRPH Committees, Parliamentary Colleagues State, Region, Federal and Federal Units and from other Parliaments.
I acknowledge IPU President Ms Tulia Ackson Mozambique MP for her inspiring and strong solidarity contribution and European Parliament Vice President Heidi Hutula Finland MP whose support has stayed rock solid.
Mercy Chriesty Barends MP Chair of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights
NUG Acting President Duwi Lashi La
NUG Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than
NUG Ministers, Deputy Ministers and NUCC Members, Ethnic Nationalities Organisations.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organisations, Friends.
I wished that I was acknowledging the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Association (AIPA) President, but it pains me to say that they have displayed parliamentary political cowardice.
I am deeply honoured to be invited to provide remarks, on the 3rd year of Min Aung Hlaing’s flailing coup, that has resulted in a shredded economy and a shattered state, with soldiers completely demoralised and not wanting to attack their own countrymen, women and children. I note the large number of defectors.
I express support, solidarity and appreciation for the efforts of the MPs given that they operate like all in this struggle in extreme circumstances with little resources.
I express my disappointment that very few governments provide substantial resources. Capacity building yes but seriously how much capacity do the MPs need given the inspiring work they are already doing?
It is time to get off the fence and join the people, not to give any succour to Min Aung Hlaing, Soe Win and Maung Maung Aye’s murderous team, who continue to commit atrocities and say such stupid things, like I am not involved in politics in Nay Pyi Taw. The 2008 decreed not agreed constitution that Min Aung Hlaing almost alone clings to gives the Tatmadaw a political role.
I express appreciation to the people of Myanmar who have so little and give so much, in their final quest to free themselves from the yoke of military dictatorship.
I wish to highlight a few key developments that will see the success of the transition and then the transformation from a military dictatorship to a federal democratic system of government. Many say restore democracy but it needs to be reshaped as it was a disciplined democracy and no one wants to return to that.
A political pact has been forged among the actors. It has two key planks. 1. A civilian government/s and 2. framed within a federal democratic system of government. This is substantially signified in the Federal Democracy Charter and the collaboration that is taking place across non-armed and armed organisations. I note the joint statement of the CNF, KNU, KNPP and NUG issued on the eve of this occasion.
I am not a naïve in politics and international affairs; have been Senior Advisor and still confidant to Noble Laureate and President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos Horta and more and know the challenges ahead but I see a preparedness and political will to do this.
We need all parliaments (noting many have) to pass a resolution of recognition for the CRPH, and ask their governments to do likewise for the NUG and provide resources.
To my Ethnic Nationalities friends and colleagues. Seize the moment in history after seventy-three years of struggle, to effect the federal democracy desired for so long.
It is time to continue to work with the political pact that you have helped forge and to finally start to shape the federal democratic system of government you envisaged and hoped for in Panglong.
That means accommodation from all sides.
Federalism is the system of government that can bring lasting peace to a nation at war with itself but with major impacts on neighbours.
Political trust is key and it grows through systems of government that are structured to resolve conflict, allocate resources more fairly, and enable cultural and other recognition.
A lot is also said about mandates and some have electoral mandates and some have peoples’ mandates (de jure and de facto).
The MPs have a mandate from the people irrespective of any constitution, as expressed in November 2020 and in accord with the UDHR.
The CRPH as the National Parliamentary Executive has one as well from the IPU.
These are important for continued recognition.
All actors need to maintain their mandates until the transition is well underway and other political and electoral agreements are formed. I note that the FDC includes a UEC and perhaps it is time to give teeth to this and note that in a federal system there are state and regional ones too. The FDC notes intergovernmental relationships and perhaps it is time to give it more detailed attention.
In closing I shall state it is perhaps time to consider transitional architectural MOG.
Two examples can be an internationally sought and agreed mechanism of support for the transition and a reconstruction and recovery body/bodies, locally driven and operated, that friendly neighbours (ASEAN/China/India…) and other friends could rally support for and be engaged with.
Go well MPs and make 2024 the year to secure the peace and the path to prosperity.
