Statement of Karen National League

[Nemesis739@xxxxxxx]

The Birth of Karen National League (KNL)
Statement of Policy Objective, Characteristics and Beliefs (draft)
January 16, 1998
 
Karen National League (KNL) was formed at the Second International Karen Youth
Conference held on December 22-26, 1997 in Ottawa, Canada.  KNL defines its
main policy objective, characteristics and beliefs as follows.
 
Our Policy Objective
 
The fundamental aim of Karen National League (KNL) is to contribute as a
leading international Karen organization to the struggles of the Karen people
for ethnic equality, freedom and democracy. This includes developing the
consciousness of the solidarity among ourselves, making our national struggles
better known domestically and internationally, and most importantly, fostering
effective cooperation between Karen people (border, internal and
international) and with other democratic movements.  
  
In pursuit of the above noble objective, the Karen National League (KNL)
recognizes, supports and cooperates with any individual or organization that
helps liberate and develop the Karen people and bring about democracy to
Burma.  KNL shall at each given moment creatively adopt appropriate tactics
that will help achieve its objective.  In this time of difficulties for the
Karen people, KNL will seek to expand and deepen the cooperation with all the
democratic organizations critical to our national liberation. 

Characteristics of KNL 

KNL is a product of a given historical period.  It is formed to advance the
Karen people in the struggle for freedom, ethnic equality and democracy.
Driving its approach to struggle is the fundamental national contradiction
represented by the oppression of ethnic people. The factors that help shape
the character of the KNL as a truly progressive national movement is its
cooperation and interaction with other democratic and liberation movements
within the country and all over the world.  KNL is not an armed organization.
Nor will it by any means engage in any armed activity.

At this stage, we define ourselves as a struggle for national development and
a movement for the advancement of democratic principles and ideals within
Burma.  Therefore, it is our strategic objective to help build a democratic
society within a genuine union in which all the ethnic nationalities can live
in harmony on the basis of political, economic and social equality. 
 
Our Beliefs

KNL believes that a fundamental condition for Karen national liberation is
democracy and an abiding culture of human rights.  All citizens should be
guaranteed the right to elect a government of their choice, freedom of
expression, freedom from discrimination, and other fundamental human rights.
They should have a central and state governments not only formally based on
their will but ones that are open and transparent, and ones that consult and
continually involve the people in policy formulation and implementation.
Consistent with these principles is the task of ensuring equality among the
diverse ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious communities.  

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