An interview with Daw Khin Ohmar, founder of Progressive Voice Myanmar, who participated in the discussion on Myanmar held in the Thai Parliament.
The Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform hosted a seminar on Myanmar at the Thai Parliament on 2 and 3 March, by inviting the military council and leaders of opposition groups such as the National Unity Government (NUG), Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and student unions.
The main topics discussed were cross-border humanitarian aid and its impact on Thai-Myanmar border security.
Karen Information Center (KIC) conducted this interview with Daw Khin Ohnmar, founder of Progressive Voice Myanmar, who participated in the discussion to learn more about the proposals presented to the Thai Parliament by Myanmar representatives, as well as the views of the Thai Parliament, and Thailand’s concerns.
Q: What did you propose and discuss with the Thai Parliament? What were their views?
A: The meeting with the Thai Parliament was organized by the Thailand’s Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform. I think they understood what we discussed. Members of parliament, government officials, MPs from other political parties, businesspeople and representatives from the international community attended the event. People from Myanmar were also present. I think they understood our recommendation whether they should proceed or not. The provision of humanitarian aid will be done by the Thai government. The foreign minister didn’t attend the meeting. But we informed them to convey our message to him.
We suggested that they should not deliver the aid through the Myanmar Red Cross Society, which is under the Myanmar’s military council, if they really want the humanitarian aid to reach the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are actually in need. The Myanmar Red Cross Society is run by individuals from the military and it follows their orders without accountability. If the Thai Red Cross works with them, it will damage its own reputation. The Thai Red Cross Society has long been led by the Thai Princess. Working with the Myanmar Red Cross Society, which lacks public support and is controlled by the military council, will tarnish the Thai Red Cross Society’s reputation and also means supporting the military’s future atrocities.
When we talked about the possibility that the Myanmar regime could also misuse humanitarian aid as a weapon, I think they understood quite well. Because later everyone pointed out the fact that the status of the Myanmar Red Cross Society is problematic. I don’t think their stance is much different from ours. But even if the parliament agrees with our position, it will take further discussions and negotiations by the parliament to convince the government to change its position.
Q: What do you think about Thailand inviting both the military council and its opponents, the NUG and EROs?
A: Thailand invited the NUG which is a legitimate political entity, ethnic armed groups, and other leaders. Such a well-planned meeting in parliament shows that Thailand views the military council’s violence inside Myanmar as a threat to its own national security.
Q: After the enforcement of the “People’s Military Service Law”, many young people from Myanmar have entered Thailand. What other concerns might Thailand have?
A: These Myanmar people have not come to Thailand for fun, but to escape the military’s violence. From the Thailand’s perspective, the influx of people poses a certain challenge to social cohesion. While they are hiding from arrests and have no access to medical care or security, many additional problems will affect the healthcare system and the people of Thailand. The Influx of people can lead to social problems. When it comes to domestic violence, it’s difficult for Thailand to deal with the consequences if they do not fall under the laws of their country, even if they end up fighting with each other. I think that is why they decided to approach the situation in this way.
Q: As a participant, what advice did you give to the Thai Parliament? If so, please let us know.
A: While the influx brings labor, it also has many consequences. Thailand also doesn’t want to close border trade, which our people also need. So I advised them to engage directly with local administrations such as the Karen National Union (KNU) or Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) instead of the illegitimate military regime in Nay Pyi Taw so the border trade is not interrupted. As there are regional administrations Karen or Karenni State, we advised Thai businesses to trade with the local authorities governing each area.
Q: What should the NUG and other revolutionary forces operating in areas bordering Thailand do to allay Thailand’s concerns and benefit the revolution?
A: To allay Thailand’s concerns over border security, revolutionary forces such as the NUG, NUCC (National Unity Consultative Council), KNU, IEC, and NMSP (New Mon State Party) and other revolutionary groups along the Thai border should propose joint cooperation with Thailand. Illegal online businesses in border areas such as Shwe Kokko are affecting Thailand’s legal economy. The KNU’s statement to cooperate with Thailand to crack down on the scam businesses is a very good gesture. The revolutionary forces should coordinate with Thailand to crack down on such illegal cross-border businesses. They should ask Thailand’s help. Thailand can help strengthen the rule of law in our areas. We need to do this ourselves. They should also work together to combat international crimes such as human trafficking into Myanmar, even from Africa, where victims are tortured and exploited in illegal businesses that takes place in ethnic areas. Such collaborative steps will ease Thailand’s concerns and promote greater cooperation.
Sent by KIC.