Mon and Karen civil society organizations (CSO’s) released a joint statement on October 26th raising their concerns with the spread of hate speech on social media, that could turn recent violence involving armed units of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Karen National Union (KNU) into deeper ethnic conflicts. The CSO groups are urging the parties to resolve their conflict as soon as possible.
Four clashes broke out involving armed members of the NMSP and the KNU in both Ye Township and Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) areas between October 17th and October 23rd. The fights left both sides with injuries and fatalities including one civilian.
Saw Kyaw Swar, Secretary of Karen Affairs said that the current conflict has also generated hate speech between Mon and Karen people on Facebook and that this is very inappropriate.
“One of the reasons we released a statement is that we want to stop the spread of hate speech on social media. Also, we are concerned that an ethnic conflict is emerging while the current issue is not yet resolved,” he added.
Saw Kyaw Swar noted, that since the NMSP and the KNU share mutual political goals that include the desire for equality and self-determination, this conflict may backslide both groups’ political milestones.
Civil society organizations are urging both armed groups to comply with their own agreement to resolve their issues through political dialogue. Armed conflict and hate speech will only harm people, acknowledged Mi Kon Chan Non, a committee member of Mon CSOs Network.
“Killing one another is not the right solution to the issue. Only handling the conflict through a political process will yield a long term advantage. Therefore, I want to [support efforts that] improve a long term relationship between the two groups [NMSP and KNU] and that help to stop spreading hate speech,” she added.
The Mon and Karen CSOs statement calls for the current conflict to stop as it can ruin unity between the Mon and Karen people. The groups point out that all armed groups are accountable to prevent human rights abuses in southern Myanmar and to ensure people’s safety, by finding solutions through discussion.
Leaders from the KNU Doo-Balar-Ya’s Brigade 6 and the NMSP Central Committee met on October 23rd and also released a peace statement designed to rebuild trust among ethnic revolutionary organizations. The statement called for the Mon and Karen people to live peacefully.
Leaders of the KNU and NMSP are planning to hold a meeting with local people in the conflict area.
