We assert that peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and between the GPH and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) should be relentlessly pursued. Moreover, the resulting peace agreements, as well as all previously signed peace agreements between the GPH and other armed parties must be fully and persistently implemented.

We challenge all the peace actors to be consistent in standing by the policy of inclusion and public participation; taking stock from the gains in “other peace processes” that government and other armed non-state actors have engaged and; bringing substantive concerns of Indigenous Peoples, Women and vulnerable communities in armed conflict to the peace table.

Peace talks and inclusive political processes must be our way to address the issues of poverty and inequality, human rights violations and injustice, social exclusion and discrimination which underlie the armed conflicts in the country. Echoing the cry of many women, children and communities repeatedly suffering the effects of violence, we appeal to the conflict parties to silence their guns and suspend armed hostilities.

As peace advocates, we resolve to protect human rights, putting an end to extra-judicial killings and unresolved human rights violations. We denounce all forms of electoral violence that have become part of our contentious electoral contests.

We will work to build the peace that comes from meeting the basic needs of our people such as jobs, land and livelihood; homes, health, and education, and the safety and security of our communities – especially as the world confronts the present economic crisis and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
The peace we pursue is far too important to become another casualty of partisan politics and hawkish policies. We pledge to put people at the heart of our politics; to put principles over patronage.

We believe that only a negotiated political settlement is the most feasible, practical and just path to peace.

We will together – despite our differing political persuasions –build a more peaceful and prosperous future that our children deserve.

Cast Our Conscience Vote : Vote for Peace and Change!

GPH-MILF and GPH-NDFP Peace Talks : Guard the process, Preserve the gains, Pursue relentlessly!

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**(Covenant written by Advocates for a Peace Covenant with GZO Peace Institute, Inc, a member of the Mindanao Solidarity Network, Co-Convenor of Mindanao PeaceWeavers)

In the short month’s time since the unfolding crisis of Sabah gained attention across many borders, the Secretary General of the United Nations himself, Ban Ki-moon has added his voice and concern on the issue, calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the grant of access to humanitarian aid, the observance of human rights and the penultimate call for dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflict. The Secretary General knows full well that while the strength of state forces being brought to bear on the dissidents may quell the armed uprising, he and the UN are well aware that it is ultimately with dialogue, discussions and negotiation that lasting peace is truly crafted.

Underscored by this example of global statesmanship, we fellow neighbors of Sabah are again reminded of our own need for such paramount and effective mechanisms in our region, a capacity to guarantee the primacy for human rights, the value of a resident echelon of statesmen, negotiators and peacemakers, a shared consciousness keenly mindful of a regional rather than parochial perspective, and a common bias for resolution rather than accommodation. For much of these in this challenging situation, we now hopefully turn our eyes on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

For over forty years and 21 summits, the ASEAN “Community” has worked on strengthening its three (3) common pillars of security, economic and socio-cultural cohesion and unity. For over forty years the ASEAN “Way” has pursued a respectful, non-interfering and non-confrontational policy in addressing intra-state and cross-border disputes and conflicts among its members.

It has also been fifty years since the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia penned the “Manila Accord”, much of which called for a peaceful resolution to the issue of Sabah, and a precursor to the formation of the ASEAN itself. And ironically, it has been less than six months since all three principals now embroiled in Sabah, were all present in the Philippines’ Malacanang Palace for the historic signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

Yet in this time of need for resolute leadership in our region, we today still find ASEAN’s voice markedly silent on Sabah. Technically, there is no mandate for the ASEAN to intervene, as Sabah is not born of a conflict between member states, but rather a conflict between a member state and a people from a fellow-member state. But this is exactly the emerging challenge for ASEAN, to recognize a higher calling beyond maintaining the status quo when humanitarian issues are at the fore, or when the marginalized plaints of the few come in conflict with the many, when maximum force takes over for maximum tolerance. This we feel is unacceptable.

Granted the maturation process the ASEAN has had since inception, we feel that it is time for the ASEAN to step up and lead in this time of crisis. We now therefore urgently call on the ASEAN to:

First, call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and guarantee the grant of humanitarian aid to all those affected and displaced by the conflict;

Second, to emplace the mechanisms and modalities to bring the parties concerned to the negotiating table for a just and lasting resolution of the issues at hand;

Third, to utilize the “Troika” and the Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) allowed for by the ASEAN Charter to identify acceptable and capable mediators to guide the process to its conclusion;

Fourth, to harness the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AIHCR) as one of the essential mechanisms ensuring human rights have been observed and honored during the Sabah conflict;
Fifth, to activate the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) to generate the necessary information on the roots of this conflict and potential options for resolution;

Sixth, to expand the existing dispute settlement mechanisms within the ASEAN to also include the aspect of prevention to preclude existing and future disputes maturing into armed conflict;

Lastly, for the ASEAN to actively pursue a more decisive leadership role in addressing humanitarian issues as well as potential and existing conflicts wherever and whenever these occur among its member-states;

Guided by the Almighty, motivated by peace, and fueled by the humanity we all share, we submit these calls to the ASEAN and its leadership and all its member states, praying that by the acts we lead in and resolutely undertake now, the future finds us living in true expression of an ASEAN community.

Contacts:

Gus Miclat, Executive Director
IID Main Office (Davao City)
Phone: (+6382) 2992574 & 75
Mobile: (+63)9177013099

Richel de los Santos
IID-Manila Liaison Office
Phone: (+632) 9110205; (+632)4352900
Mobile Ph: (+63)927.644.6524
Email: iid.manila@gmail.com

We recognize each of the three (3) principals now involved and their commitment to peace in recent history. We commend Malaysia and it’s facilitative role in bringing peace to much of Mindanao through years of negotiations. We acknowledge President Aquino and his administration’s efforts in calling for dialogue and peace-building in various conflict-affected regions of the Philippines. And we laud the long history of the Sultanate of Sulu in responsibly leading its proud and unconquered people into the present.

While we may feel disappointment that peace has not spread fast enough into the hearts of our fellowmen in the region, we feel that the chance to remedy the Sabah situation is still at hand, granted we act quickly, calmly and with sobriety, remaining steadfast in our commitment to dialogue, negotiations and ultimately peace. The chilling effect on the long hoped-for peace in the region that this event may have spawned should not be allowed to spread, for it impacts on the future of large populations in the region, be they involved in this dispute or not. The threat and deprivation forced upon the lives and futures of the innocent brought on by conflict, particularly those impacting on women and children, remains unacceptable to us in any of the actions and discussions done, or yet to follow.

The convergence of conditions that engendered this event shows us all that a number of underlying issues may have remained long simmering, out of sight to most of us, and now needs to be addressed sensibly and soon, be it before the public eye or in stages respectful of the sensibilities of all involved. Again, this underscores our advocacy for developing regular venues of dialogue to thresh such matters out.

We also should not let ourselves be swayed by the apparent machinations and apathy of those who selfishly see no benefit for themselves by staying on the path of peace the majority of us have chosen. Yet as we confront this possibility, we must also find as totally unacceptable any “collateral damage” for our innocent brothers and sisters suffering long and oftentimes in silence, whenever we’ve allowed guns to speak loudest.

We feel that that the time for posturing, threats and armed action, no matter how righteous and particularly at the cost of innocent lives, remains unacceptable. That letting stoked emotions roiling pell-mell into violence, at the cost of reason and value for lives, has no place in a future built on crafting peace for ourselves and generations to follow.

Let us remind all involved that history is both perceived by looking at what we’ve done in our past, as well as how we’ve measured up to our future. This future now before us calls us to be globally engaged, to be responsible for one another, to foster an inclusivity that calls upon us all to look at the humanity that unites us, not the differences that divide.

We therefore call on the key actors, from the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia, the Sultanate of Sulu and its heirs, engaged by other stakeholders along with all of us who value peace above all, to sign on in calling for an immediate end to the violence and come together in a dialogue for peace on the issues pertaining to Sabah.

The time for this is now and begins with us. Let us resolve the Sabah issue peacefully, not through arms but through dialogue. The cycle of violence in resolving conflict must end, and the opportune time for it in Sabah is NOW!

Signatories:

Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW)
Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Southeast Asia (SEA-GPPAC)
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Derepa te Erumanen ne Menuvu (DEM)

Tasked with drafting the historic Bangsamoro Basic Law, the 15-member TransCom has the singular opportunity to spell out a definitive roadmap of the nascent Bangsamoro. Headed by the Hon. Chairman Mohager Iqbal, MPW express strong support for the united efforts of the TransCom in establishing a framework of true peace and development for the Bangsamoro.

We applaud both sets of the TransCom members and congratulate each and every one of them on their selection and endorsement by their communities, leaders and peers. We know that they each have the support and backing of the sectors they represent. We pray that their shared vision for the Bangsamoro will prove to be the bond that unites them in their efforts. We enjoin the TransCom to shoulder their tasks with gusto, for they have the support of the MPW and numerous other peace advocates everywhere. We encourage every one to lend support to the TransCom in their challenging role.

And as a country and the rest of the world look on, we salute you and the history you begin defining today.

Takbir! Meuyag! Padayon!

The Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) and the signatories below urges all ASEAN governments to end its silence on the humanitarian challenges happening within its own backyard and compel the Burmese government to stand down and stop the violence it is perpetrating in Kachin state. Air strikes in the ethnic state were reported to have begun a few days ago.

As this situation unfolds into a grave humanitarian crisis, the ASEAN governments are obliged under its own Charter and international laws to address systematic human rights violations that occur even outside their own territories. The displacement of around 75,000 people since June 2011 and deaths of around 300 people during the last air strike in the northern states of Kachin and nearby Shan must be condemned. The Kachins have long been disenfranchised economically and politically, and have been suffering from poverty, sexual violence against women and children, forced labor, extra judicial killings, among others. It is time that their miserable situation is addressed head-on.

As the so-called reformist Burmese government continues to justify its acts of violence by claiming that their military action was done in self-defense, ASEAN governments should take a more proactive position in joining the call of the international community to pressure the Burmese government to cease and desist further military action that would only intensify the conflict and inevitably result to widespread human rights abuses in Burma. ASEAN should also lead and seek the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced peoples caused by the conflict.

While it is imperative to tackle the immediate situation in Kachin, the only way to strategically resolve the conflict is if the demand of the Kachin and ethnic peoples for genuine political dialogue and recognition of their ethnic rights and identities are heeded.

We call on all humanitarian institutions, peace-loving individuals and the global solidarity movement for Burma to support the call for peace and ethnic rights of the struggling peoples of Kachin and the rest of Burma.

Signed:

Regional & Global
Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Altsean – Burma)
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)
Asia Pacific Forum on Women Law and Development (APWLD)
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia)
Burma Partnership (BP)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CWS)
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Forum of Burmese in Europe (FBE)
Jubilee South – Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JS-APMDD)

Aceh
Aceh Judicial Monitoring Institute (AJM)
Acehnese Civil Society Task Force (ACSTF)
Peoples Crisis Centre (PCC).
Saree School for Human Rights and Peace (SHRP)

Australia
Burma Campaign Australia

Belgium
Actions Birmanie

Burma/Myanmar
Kachin National Organization (KNO)
Karen Women Empowerment Group (KWEG)
Myanmar People’s Forum (MPF)

East Timor
East Timor Students Solidarity Council (ETSSC)

France
Association Info Birmanie

Germany
Burma Aktion
Society for Threatened Peoples – Germany

India
Burma Centre Delhi (BCD)
Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)

Indonesia
Akar Bengkulu Indonesia
KALYANAMITRA
MartoArt
Solidaritas Indonesia untuk Burma (SIB)

Japan
People’s Forum on Burma (Japan)

Malaysia
Hon. Charles Santiago, Member of Parliament of Malaysia
Hon. Tian Chua, Member of Parliament, Malaysia

Norway
Norwegian Burma Committee

Philippines
Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-P)
Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (Cebu) (FBC-P Cebu)
Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF)
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
Center for Agrarian Reform, Empowerment and Transformation, Inc. (CARET)
Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP)
Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML)
Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW)
Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC)
Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro (Women for Justice in the Bangsamoro)
Partido ng Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines)
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PHILRIGHTS)
SANLAKAS
United Transport Workers Organization (UTWO)

Poland
Polish Burma Solidarity

South Africa
Free Burma Campaign – South Africa (FBC-SA)

Sweden
Swedish Burma Committee

Switzerland
Association Suisse-Birmanie

United Kingdom
Burma Campaign UK
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
Burma Action Ireland

Thailand
All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress
Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT)
Forum for Democracy in Burma
Human Rights Education Institute of Burma
Nationalities Youth Forum

USA
U.S. Campaign for Burma

West Papua
Dewan Adat Papua