All across Myanmar, together with the National Unity Government (NUG), the revolutionary armed organizations that are opposing the military dictatorship are carrying out defensive actions against the military council forces and the police. At the same time, they continue to call on members of the police and military council forces to defect and switch sides to the people and the people’s government.
In particular, intense fighting is ongoing across various areas of Karenni State between the military council and the Karenni revolutionary joint forces. The IEC and the various revolutionary forces within Karenni State have already decided to carry out the current military operation as a final decisive battle.
Therefore, the IEC and the Karenni State revolutionary forces, we once again invite members of the coup military to choose defection to the revolutionary side, instead of sacrificing their lives to defend the dictatorship.
Aims and definition of the Defection
Defection refers to the action of military personnel shifting through various means, from obeying the orders of the coup military leadership to coming under the administration of the people’s government.
Therefore, defection by military personnel to the people’s government is intended to minimize the loss of their dignity, prevent bloodshed, and enable the military and the people to work together toward restoring national stability and peace, as well as building a federal democratic union.
(1)Any armed force operating its combat in Karenni State must comply with both domestic and international laws, conventions related to the treatmentof presioners of war. Fundamentally, this includes not targeting civilians, granting the right to life to prisoners of war, and refraining from the use of prohibited weapons. Anyone who participates in the defection program must respect and adhere to international humanitarian laws.
(2)Individuals are encouraged to refuse the arbitrary orders of the State Administration Council and join the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State and the Karenni State revolutionary forces. To make the defection process,
(a) After being aware of this arrangement, individuals must contact and report through the communication channels attached below.
(b) After making such contact, they must follow and comply with the instructions of the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State and the Defection Program Oversight Committee.
(c) In accordance with the mutually agreemet through discussion between the Defection Program Oversight Committee and the defecting military personnel, weapons shall be handed over to the IEC, which is the representative governing authority body. After those processes, the military personnel shall remain in a secure place.
(d) The rank, dignity, and security of defecting military personnel will be guaranteed under this defection arrangement.
(e) This arrangement will also guarantee that defecting units/forces who wish to take in national defense role in the future will have the right to do so.
3. Military personnel who leave their units are opening up for joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Military personnel who participated in CDM will have rewards and support, and will be protected in accordance with the CDM program.
4. Any military personnel currently deployed on the front lines who promptly lay down their arms and surrender shall considered accordance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), be guaranteed the right to life, the right to communicate with their families, and the right to freely rehabilitate after serving the minimum penalty.
5. If military personnel or any other individuals are arrested or detained by the Karenni State forces for any reason, they may claim the right to life in accordance with Karenni law.
(6) This defection program will be jointly implemented, and cooperation between IEC and the Karenni revolutionary forces, as well as with the NUG, the NUCC, and with any other organizations for which legal coordination is required.
(7) The “Defection Program Oversight Committee” is formed with these respected persons:
(a) Khun Bedu– Incharge of the Defection Program, Vice- Chair of the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State.
(b) Zue Padomar, Deputy- Incharge of the Defection Program, the Secretary-1 of the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State.
(c) U Nay Myo Zin, Director of the Defection Program, former Myanmar Army Officer.
(d) Khun A Than, the Deputy Director of the Defection Program, Political Affairs Incharge
(e) Khu Poe Reh, Member of the Defection Program, Legal Expert
(8) The mandate and duration of the current defection program and the Working Committee shall be determined in accordance with the decisions of the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State. Any military council personnel who are not related to this program will be charged with the anti-dictatorship measures.
(9) “The Defection Program Oversight Committee” is hereby approved in accordance with the authority referred to in By-law Section 16, Subsection (g), Clause (1).
Khu Oo Reh
Chair
The Interim Executive Council of Karenni State
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