Zomi International Conference (ZIC2019KL) 17-19 February, 2019

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS ENGLISH VERSION

Members of various Zomi political leaders, political party, organizations, student groups, women groups, The Zomi International Conference 2019 Kuala Lumpur hereby moves the following;

 Strategic Issues

1.     Zomi Identity:

• We hereby reaffirm the fact that Zomi is our political identity as an indigenous people.
  • Although in the past, we have been recorded and classified under various nomenclatures, our identity remains and will remain Zomi.

2.     Territory:

• Territorially, Zogam (Zoland) comprises of all the ancestral Zomi-inhabited areas.

3.     Political Goal:

• The principle political goal of the Zomi movement is the realization of a self-administered territory of Zogam as per our rights as indigenous people under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • That, to make advancement towards Zomi self-determination , it is resolved to establish a Zomi Parliament under the guidelines and provisions of the United Nations
  • That, ZCI2019KL shall make a declaration towards achieving the establishment of Zomi Parliament
  • That, ZIUSA in the US, ZC in India and ZYA in Myanmar will take the lead to initiate the establishment of Zomi Parliament and if necessary, form a coordination committee to execute the mandate of the Conference. Additionally, ZIUSA, ZYA & ZNCM (Myanmar) and ZC (India) will go back to their respective constituents and stakeholders and conduct consultations to work towards establishing a Zomi Parliament to integrate the political goals of the Zomis
  • ZIC2019KL takes serious consideration of the unfortunate turn of events within Zomi movement in India in recent months and appeals that an amicable peaceful solution be reached at the earliest.
  • ZIC2019KL appreciates and congratulates our Zomi brothers with regard to the progress made in Sialkal Range Development Council (SRDC) in Mizoram state and wishes them further success in strengthening it for the socio-economic upliftment of the Zomi people.

4.     Economic and Social Goal:

• It is our collective appeal that all Zomi organizations and stakeholders shall take renewed and sustained efforts towards furthering the socio-economic development of Zomi and Zogam in the next 5-10 years.

• We resolve to take all necessary steps and continue working towards realizing Sustainable Development Goals in all Zomi-inhabited areas.

5.     Peace and Security:

• We hope that the efforts and endeavor of (United Peoples Front (UPF) for a political status in India shall be achieved for the Zomis in India and that they will take concerted steps towards this objective. We resolve to strengthen their efforts through our respective capacities.
  • That, we ask for the ZRO (E) to play a specific role to realize peace and security in Zomi-inhabited areas and urge them to move forward for the establishment of self-determination in Zoland.
  • We also request them to make strategic headways in line with contemporary political developments in the country for the advancement of Zomi movement

Current National Issues

1.     Constitution:

• ZIC2019KL hereby agrees the proposed amendment of 2008 Myanmar Constitution on the grounds that it is disadvantageous to the Zomi interest.
  • We also agree to draft the Zogam (Zoland) constitution in the need of political changes in Myanmar. That, a Zoland Constitution Drafting Committee be constituted with the following members and will engage with the elected representatives/MPs.
    • Convener      : Pu Go Sawm Khup, Zomi Innkuan USA
    • Member        : Sia Pau Sian Lian, Ph.D. (Candidate), Japan
    • Member        : Pu Kham Lam Tuang, Zomi Congress for Democracy
    • Member        : Sia Golan Suanzamung Naulak, Ph.D. (Candidate), India
    • Member        : Sia Mung Lan Thang, Myanmar
    • Member        : Sia Cin Khan Lian, Myanmar
    • Member(s)    : Zomi Members of Parliament, Myanmar

2.     Zomi MPs and National Party:

• We acknowledge and appreciate the work and role of Zomi MPs for their contribution and commitment to the Zomi movement.
  • We heartily acknowledge and mark a note of appreciation for the presence of four MPs from ZCD at ZIC2019KL.
  • It is our appeal to Zomi MPs in Myanmar to take renewed efforts towards fulfilment for including Zomi 914 in the Census enumeration process.
  • ZCD is considered as the Zomi National party and is therefore a party for the Zomi people and for the Zomi cause. Accordingly, it is our fervent appeal that a renewed consideration be made within the party for a structural reform towards sustaining the people’s confidence in the interest of the Zomi cause. It is also our request to our elected representatives to made concerted efforts to achieve the aspirations of the people.

3.     GZA and the Zomi:

• We recognize the contribution of GZA’s prophetic role for our Zomi nation and for the well-being of Zogam. We reaffirm their role as they continue their role as mandated by the organization in the years to come, and look forward to their blessings to the Zomi movement in their prophetic capacity.
  • We also beseech their blessings in realizing the conference resolutions of ZIC2019KL. We also ask all religious leaders among the Zomi to give their blessing to the Zomi movement.

4.     Zomi National Day:

We endorse the celebration of Zomi National Day in all Zomi-inhabited areas and encourage the formation of celebration committees to organize Zomi National Day in Zomi towns and in all key areas of concentration

5.     2020 Myanmar Election:

It is our appeal that qualified individuals from Zomi are nominated and elected in the upcoming 2020 Elections in Myanmar. We appeal to all stakeholders and to all concerned to refrain from supporting any candidate who will work against the interest of Zomi movement and Zogam.

6.     District:

• The ZIC2019KL condemns the government officials in Myanmar for taking advantages of their position to profit their individual, their clan (origin), villages and township. We also condemn the ruling government, NLD for the formation of new districts in Chin State have been lopsided and disadvantaged for the Zomis. We, thereby, collectively call for the re-drawing of district boundaries and establishing Tedim ,Tonzang, Cikha, Khaikam and Rih into one district.
  • We extend our support to the demand for Lamka District in Manipur to have an administrative unit for the Zomis in India.

7.     Zomi ancestral land and territory:

• We hereby declares that there is no fallow/vacant/virgin land in any ancestral Zomi-inhabited areas as per our traditional and cultural form of self-governance. We will take any necessary action to protected our ancestral land.
  • ZIC2019KL unanimously registers our dissatisfaction with the new law that enables non-Zomis to buy land in Zomi-inhabited areas and townships. We will not tolerate any involved party to take our ancestral land by force.
  • We, therefore, resolves to take all necessary representation in this regard at appropriate forums, and to our elected representatives to take necessary steps to withdraw this law.

8.     Infrastructure Development:

• We appeal to our elected representatives to take concerted steps to promote infrastructure development in Zomi-inhabited areas including inclusion into the Myanmar National Power Grid, setting up Behiang Trade Centre and others.

• We collectively express our concern and register our disapproval at the shifting of Haimual Border Trade Centre to somewhere else. In this regard, we request all Zomi MP to investigate the issue and take an appropriate action accordingly.

9.     Zomi Refugees:

• We appreciate the generous support extended to the affairs of Zomi refugees by ZIUSA, and appeal ZIUSA to commit for continued support of Zomi refugees in their asylum demands and in the resettlement/reparation efforts being considered.
  • We appeal to the concerned governments and authorities to put in place a transparent process in case of a reparation plan/resettlement plan for the Zomi refugees. We request to the ZIUSA to continue support and help the Zomi refugees.
  • In the case of repatriation advised by the UNHCR, the advice, guidance and assistance of elected representatives, ZYA, TYF and Ar Yone Oo is sought in this regard.

10.  Zomi National Flag:

• It is agreed to have a national flag for the Zomi nation and;
  • we propose the present flag of ZRO in this regard subject to the endorsement of each constituent of ZIC2019KL.

11.  Meitei armed groups and Opium:

• We register our opposition at the presence of Meitei armed groups in ancestral Zomi-inhabited areas.
  • We also oppose the cultivation of opium by these armed Meitei groups is also a cause of serious concern to our people
  • In this regard, it is resolved that CSOs make a formal submission in protest against the cultivation of opium by the armed Meitei groups in ancestral Zomi-inhabited areas. We appeal to the Zomi elected representatives, MP to take the lead in this effort for eliminating opium cultivation in our land.

12.  Zomi Women Causes:

• We appreciate the efforts made by Zomi women groups in advancing political, socio-economic development of the Zomi and Zogam.

13.  Zo Script:

• To explore possibilities for the establishment of Zomi Language and Research Institute
  • The indigenous script of the Zomi is to be promoted in research and preserved as a marker of our distinct identity.

14.  Zomi Baptists Churches:

• We endorse and heartily support the initiative for all Baptist Churches within the Zomi to assemble together under one umbrella organization.

15.  Myanmar State-Sponsored School In Zogam:

• We are against the state sponsored imposition of religious teaching and practices on students through free education in various state sponsored schools and educational institutions in the Zomi-inhabited areas. It is our earnest appeal to all concerned that immediate steps are to taken to discontinue this kind of imposition on the freedom of religion.
  • In this regard, we request Global Zomi Alliance (GZA) in working together with all churches to establish orphanage in Zogam to help Zomi orphans.

16.  Zomi Community Center leh Library:

• We make an earnest request for the establishment of a Zomi Community Center and a Zomi Library and Resource Centre in Zomi towns (Lamka and Tedim) for the educational upliftment of the Zomi people. We also request to all Zomi elected representatives, officials and respective organizations to take lead on this regard.

17.  Zomi Youth Association:

• We appreciate the efforts made for the establishment of Zomi Youth Association (ZYA) in all Zomi-inhabited areas and extend our support in this regard.

Chairpersons