Kachin National Organisation

The Kachin National Organisation (abbrev. KNO; Jingpo: Jinghpaw Wunpawng Amyusha Hpung; Burmese: ကချင်အမျိုးသားအစည်းအရုံး) is a political organisation in Myanmar seeking self-determination for the Kachin people of Kachin State. It was founded on 9 January 1999 after extensive discussions between Kachin diaspora and elders in Kachin State.

Kachin National Organisation
Jinghpaw Wunpawng Amyusha Hpung
ကချင်အမျိုးသားအစည်းအရုံး
ChairmanMichael Howa Ja La (deceased)
President and Deputy ChairmanBawmwang La Raw
Dates of operation1999 (1999) – present
Active regionsKachin State
Kachin areas in northern Shan State ("Kachin Sub-state")
IdeologyKachin self-determination
Federalism (until 2019)
Separatism[1]
Opponents Myanmar
Battles and warsInternal conflict in Myanmar
Flag

History

The KNO was a leading founding member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), established in February 2011. Despite the departure of the Kachin Independence Organisation from the UNFC in May 2017, the KNO remained a member and sought to continue representing the interests of the Kachin people within the UNFC.[2]

A joint statement was released by representatives from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Kachin National Organization (KNO), All Kachin Students and Youth Union (AKSYU), Kachin Women's Association of Thailand (KWAT) and Pan Kachin Development Society (PKDS), following a meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand on 3 January 2012. The statement decried the Burman-dominated central government's rejection of a democratic federal state as outlined in the Panglong Agreement signed by Burmese founding father Aung San and ethnic leaders in January 1947.[3]

At the KNO party congress held in November 2019, representatives unanimously declared Kachinland's independence from Myanmar.[1]

Political aims and objectives

The proclaimed aims and objectives of the KNO are as follows:[4]

  1. To strive toward the full attainment of an independent Kachinland that guarantees rights and privileges to all citizens of Kachinland.
  2. To ensure equality to all the citizens of Kachinland by democratic governing principles.
  3. To establish an elective government by direct plebiscite-voting process.
  4. To display and fly the national flag and sing the national anthem at all public functions.
  5. To safeguard public safety by means a of police force and national guard.
  6. To promote the development of individual culture.
  7. To use Kachin and English as official languages in all communication and documents.

Political policies

The proclaimed policies of the KNO are as follows:[4]

  1. The KNO will uphold and apply democratic principles in all political conduct.
  2. The KNO will grant human rights and civil liberties to its citizens.
  3. The KNO will recognize overseas Kachins as bonafide citizens of Kachinland.
  4. The KNO will seek to have representation in the United Nations.
  5. The KNO will establish diplomatic ties and treaties with neighboring countries and the world.
  6. The KNO does not regard the Burman as its natural enemy and will continue to extend its friendship.
  7. The KNO considers the domineering and licentious segment of the Burmese military in Kachinland as an enemy to be annihilated.

References
  1. Weng, Lawi (18 January 2019). "Exile Group Declares 'Independence' for Kachin State". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  2. "Myanmar Rebel Militias Request Split From Ethnic Armed Umbrella Organization". Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  3. "Kachin exiles demand secession if Burma govt rejects federalism". Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. "Where We Stand". Retrieved 21 January 2021.
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