Mon National Representatives Attend UN Forum on Indigenous Issues

Wednesday, May 21st, 2014

The Six Mon National Representatives Attending the
UNPFII (photo: MAA)

Min Lyonn – Six Mon national representatives were presented to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) being held at the UN Headquarters in New York in the United States.

This year is the 13th anniversary of the UNPFII, which is held every year from 13th to 23rd May.

Nai Janu Mon, chairman of the Mon American Association (MAA) and MAA member Nai Rot Rot attended the UNPFII.

The other Mon representatives attending were: Dr Mon Htaw, chairman of the Thai-Rehmarn Association based in Thailand; Nai Yekah, the deputy head of the Organizational Department for the New Mon State Party (NMSP); Min Zeyar, a leader of the 88 Student Generation and Ashin Aot Ja (aka the monk Zaw Latt).

In an interview with IMNA Min Zeyar said: “It is not like we represent Burma, every country was invited to join the UNPFII. The MAA arranged for us to attend as ethnic Mon representatives.

“At the meeting the topic of what rights ethnic groups should have and how rights previously granted to ethnic groups are being taken away was discussed. All ethnic group leaders took their turn to present
their own reports.”

He said that the report the Mon group presented and discussed at the 15th May meeting was not just about issues facing ethnic Mon people but also about issues facing other ethnic groups in Burma. It also covered the current situation in Burma, the ceasefire, peace talks and the 2008 constitution.

Nai Ye Kha said: “Whilst in the US I have also discussed Burmese politics with US based Mon organizations, other ethnic groups’ organizations, retired members of the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and former members of the Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS). We also made a presentation to the UNPFII about how
our Mon people’s rights have been abused.”

More than 100 representatives from 100 countries attended the UNPFII. There were many leaders of indigenous groups from North and South America. They were joined by indigenous group leaders from Asia, Europe and Australia.

UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon gave a speech at the UNFII and US President Barrack Obama sent a message to the delegates according to news media.

MAA, which is based in the US, first started attending the annual UNFII in 2008. Last year Ashin Yarwika, Nai Rot Rot and Nai Lagon Eain attended to represent the Mon people.