Dear respected Karenni citizens and all members of the Karenni State Police,

Today is a historic day for Karenni State. It is historic because all Karenni people, including leaders of various organizations within the state, and all security personnel serving as the people’s police, have collectively decided to live together under the rule of law in Karenni State. At a time when the military dictatorship is abusing power above the rule of law across Myanmar, when police forces all over the country are being forced to serve as thugs under the SAC military, and when the entire Myanmar public are disgust toward the military and the police, but it is the day of the Karenni State Police on its establishing for the police forces representing for the people which is become as a historic day. Not only for Karenni people but for all people across Myanmar, this is a day to remind everyone that at a time when police who respect the law and protect the people are desperately needed, the Karenni State Police (KSP) has stood for three years, aims to reach a strength of 1,000 personnel, and is determined to protect anyone who are in Karenni State according to the law. It is a day to remind all of our people, leaders, and police personnel to be united and support each other.

Respected Karenni citizens and all members of the Karenni State Police,

Along with the formation of the Karenni State Police, there are three things we want to inform, alert, and urge our people that,

1. Whether in our nation-building or in the current revolutionary period, the future community must have the right to receive equal protection under the law. Providing this legal assistance is the duty of the police, which is different from the duties of the military or administrative tasks. This means that to obtain legal protection, police institutions are necessary, and we must build them together with the police.
2. To continue building democratic values together with the police. Freedom, transparency, checks and balances, human rights, and representative government systems are the fundamental standards of democracy. In policing, we must also adhere to the principles valued by civilian governments and the people to help uphold the rule of law. When protecting and building democracy and human rights, we cannot rely exclusively on an armed revolution. The police and judicial organizations must also coordinate and be interconnected.
3. I have to inform you that the rule of law, which cannot be compromised under any circumstances, is needed now and in the future, and we must stand with the police. In this revolutionary period, we cannot accept problems like narcotics, the oppression and violence against women, and we must handle and solve them. These are today’s challenges and problems that must be addressed. These are the things that require special attention during the three years of the establishment of KSP.

Respected Karenni citizens and all members of the Karenni State Police,

Myanmar’s main challenge is the authoritarian system, but the second biggest challenge is the lack of the rule of law. Looking back to the past in Myanmar,  many laws lacked fairness and inclusivity, and many groups and individuals sought to stand above the law and human values, while many people did not value the rule of law. For Karen State, fighting to end the authoritarian rule is the primary focus, but the rule of law will be crucial in the future.  Therefore, while revolutionary forces carry out an important duty, the police are carrying out the second most important duty of upholding the rule of law. When the revolution succeeds, we must achieve both democracy and the rule of law. Like now, we are trying to build the Karenni State, and  I also urge the entire country to strive to achieve democracy and the rule of law simultaneously after the revolution succeeds.

I also want the Karenni State Police (KSP) to keep going strong. Since my childhood until now, I hated the police. The former police were corrupt, manipulated the law, and I viewed them as police who operated on a system where the worse the situation, the more opportunities they took, all to sustain the military dictatorship. However, when the Karenni State Police was formed, all the people welcomed and supported them. They collaborated with the police to suppress wrongdoers. The people shared food and contribute the expense for the police. All police officers are striving to stand firm despite having no salaries and lacking equipment and protection. I am very happy to see this excellent and fundamental police structure. I urge them to continue adhering to KSP’s principles of being a democratic police, a community-based police, and to uphold the standards of the rule of law. As they mark three years, I urge them to continue striving to reach a strength of 1000 and for KSP to begin providing security in key areas and towns across Karenni State.

I honor and thank the leaders of KSP for the three-year period. If not for good leadership, such a strong public service department would not have emerged. I thank the CDM police officers and urge them to continue striving and standing as model police. On behalf of the people, I demand that CDM police and KSP leaders continue to write the new history of the people’s police. Instead of the hypocritical slogan “May I help you” that the old police chanted, let the police and the people chant together, “Let’s build our society with the rule of law.” I respect all police personnel. I am proud of them. I rely on them. Let us strive together for the success of KSP’s goals.

Khun Bedu
Vice-Chairperson
Interim Executive Council of Karenni State