THE Karen National Union (KNU) has made four demands to Nay Pyi Taw and relevant governments and companies regarding the Dawei project: environmental and social impact assessments must be done fairly, negotiation with stakeholders must comply with applicable government, KNU and international laws; free, prior and informed consent must be guaranteed, and disruption to communities and environment must be mitigated.

Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tanintharyi Region is one of the three proposed/ existing SEZs in the country. The other two are Thilawa SEZ in southern Yangon and Kyaukphyu SEZ in Rakhine State.

“If resumed, the two-lane highway between Dawei and the Thai/Myanmar border will cut through a pristine forest area in the Tenasserim Hills, and rural communities under the control of the Karen National Union,” the statement on February 1 read.

The political organisation called on Myanmar to demonstrate that socio-economic development projects in ethnic areas can deliver significant benefits to local communities while safeguarding security, ethnic communities and the environment.

Arguing that Nay Pyi Taw “must negotiate with the KNU” regarding the implementation of such socio-economic development because of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), the KNU has outlined four demands to the project proponents and the governments:

Firstly, comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) must be conducted in line with Myanmar’s laws, the KNU’s Land and Forestry Policy and international standards.

Secondly, negotiations with stakeholders must be carried out in advance to ensure sustainable development for local communities, revenue sharing between different levels of governments and the right for communities to take part.

Thirdly, the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be used in the implementation. Fair compensation and land provision for the loss of land and livelihoods must be finalised before any action is taken. Local communities must have access to markets and environmental conservation programmes must be delivered.

Lastly, the highway must be designed and constructed in a manner that minimises and mitigates impacts on the environment – rivers, forests and biodiversity – and on the Karen and other ethnic communities in the area.

Dr Charlie Thame of Bangkok-based Thammasat University, who has recently published a report on SEZs in the Mekong for Focus on the Global South, said the demands are not unreasonable and the statement is informed by negative past experience.

“A range of negative environmental and social impacts associated with the road have been documented, including land grabbing and threats to the largest population of tigers left in the greater Mekong region,” he noted.

He added that the National League for Democracy-led government “inherited a mess” with the proposed SEZ projects and related connecting infrastructure.

“The KNU are simply reminding the NLD of their legal obligations, which have not been implemented effectively in the past. The timing might reflect Karen frustration with the peace process and an attempt to win hearts and minds among the more politically active members of their constituency.

Even if the NLD acquiesce to KNU demands, will the assessments be conducted meaningfully, and will complaints only be heard over the sound of bulldozers? – Dr Charlie Thame, Thammasat University

“The question remains, however, is it too little too late? Even if the NLD acquiesce to KNU demands, will the assessments be conducted meaningfully, and will complaints only be heard over the sound of bulldozers?” the academic commented.

The US$8 billion Dawei SEZ is going to be one of the biggest mega-projects in ASEAN, if implemented. The initial phase alone would cost more than $1 billion.

Last July, U Kae Don, a representative of Myanmar SEZ Watch’s working committee, said that the implementation of Dawei SEZ has to follow the legal procedures. Any progress or development on the project, including ESIA reports, has to be published and made public. In September last year, Nay Pyi Taw formed a task force to support the upgrading of an existing two-lane road connecting Htee Khee in Dawei to Thailand. The government aims to revamp it into an ASEAN-standard highway.

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/knu-makes-four-demands-dawei-thai-border-highway.html