Wed 24 Dec 2008, IMNA
Thousands of ethnic Mon people gathered yesterday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the New Mon State Party at a “Golden Jubilee” celebration held yesterday near Ye Town, southern Mon State. The celebration featured speeches from leaders in the Mon community and party, who vowed to continue the struggle for a federal union and ethnic rights.
At least 4,000 people attended the celebration, with party sources estimating that as many as 10,000 people were present.
“The party will join hands with other ethnic nationalities and the democracy movement in our continued struggle for a genuine federal union,” said party president Nai Htaw Mon in prepared statement presented in the Mon language yesterday morning.
A leader from the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) echoed this sentiment in another speech given on the same day. “We should join hands and struggle together. Then, we will archive our goals,” the MNDF leader said. The MNDF is made up of leaders elected to Parliament in the now-annulled 1990 election. Nai Hongsar, NMSP General Secretary, also presented a speech.
The NMSP is currently the largest political organization representing the Mon people in Burma. The organization was founded in 1958 after the large Mon People’s Front surrendered to the Burmese government. The NMSP subsequently engaged in armed resistance to rule by Burma’s military government, but signed a ceasefire with the regime in 1995.
Party leaders also welcomed input from community members about party programs and goals. “During the implementation of our projects and goals, the NMSP has made mistakes and has weak points,” admitted Nai Hongsar. “But the NMSP reviews and corrected its mistakes, and welcomes feedback and suggestions.”
In a statement released online yesterday, the Australia-based Mon National Council welcomed the 50th anniversary but argued that the party has gone in the wrong direction since the 1995 ceasefire. “Due to the party leading the wrong direction, people lose real benefits and people have lost faith,” said the statement.
The cease-fire has had mixed results, and the NMSP has been unable to bring regime authorities to the table for genuine negotiations. The cease-fire enabled the group to participate in the National Convention that drafted Burma’s new constitution, but the party eventually decided to only send observers after it felt input by ethnic groups was being ignored.
The ceasefire has enabled the party to administer party-controlled areas. Since 1995, it has been able to thoroughly develop an extensive system of Mon National Schools as well as health programs.
Though the end to fighting between the NMSP and Burmese army brought a respite to villagers that should not be underestimated, human rights abuses have not ended. According to documentation by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland, regime authorities have confiscated over 10,000 acres of land since the cease-fire. Forced labor as well as incidents of capricious taxation, torture, summary execution and sexual violence have also continued to occur.
The NMSP will hold its Party Congress in the coming weeks, an event which happens only every 3 or 4 years. During the Congress, the members will elect people to important positions. This year, party members will also discuss participation an upcoming election scheduled by the regime for 2010. Members of the party’s Central Executive Committee have said the NMSP will not participate, but no official stance has been taken.
Photo credit: Kaowao
