Defection Strategy and Revolution's 2023 New Year Journey
Speakers - Padoh Saw Taw Nee (Foreign Affairs Department, KNU), Esther Ze Naw (Social Justice Activist), Dr. Phio Thiha (Author/Trainer), Khin Pa Pa Tun (CDM Captain)
Moderator - Ye Htet (Freedom Fighter)
I. WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THE REVOLUTION’S DEFECTION STRATEGY?
Padoh Saw Taw Nee (KNU): There have always been defections throughout the long civil war, but since 2021, every brigade in the KNU area has received more than 100 defectors.
Esther Ze Naw (Social Justice Activist): One Australian publication has claimed that there have been more than 10,000 defectors since the coup. However, there remain around 300,000 enemy soldiers.
Phio Thiha (Author): Not many high officers are defecting, because they are thriving in the system of impunity. But in the lower ranks, defection numbers have increased dramatically. Not just defections, but others have found ways to contribute to the revolution without fully defecting.
Khin Pa Pa Tun (CDM Captain): Early defectors were very principled, but many more can be encouraged to defect for a variety of reasons.
II. WHAT ARE THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS?
Taw Nee: Three factors are essential to the revolution: (1) public support, (2) international support, (3) dismantling the military. This last factor is important because of the Myanmar military’s strength, which can be partially eroded through defection. Trust is the biggest challenge. Throughout the long civil war, the military has been cruel to and hated by the Karen people. When defectors come, they must spend a period in quarantine and observation. Some want to fight back against the military; some just want to rest and heal their trauma; some would like to move on to opportunities in a third country. We have a policy of accepting them all and taking care of them. All of them must follow a code of conduct. We investigate their background and possible crimes and they have an opportunity to gain amnesty.
Esther Ze Naw: We believe that the military will be significantly weakened with more defections. Defections harm the military’s sense of unity, and weakened unity leads to more defections. There is no archetype—some defect alone; some with family; some for ideology; some are tired of violence; some don’t want to be hated by the people anymore. Trust has always been the biggest obstacle, but confidence grows with more defectors.
Phio Thiha: Some argue against the defection strategy. This is mostly based on resentment and hatred for ex-soldiers. They think such people will turn out to be spies. When we look honestly, we find that not only are defectors helping, people still within the military have proved that they can contribute to the revolution as informants.
Pa Tun: We are already receiving support from the US National Defense Authorization Act, a.k.a. the Burma Act, to take care of defectors’ basic needs and security. This is very encouraging. As it is made clear that defectors will be cared for, more will be emboldened to defect.
III. FINAL STATEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Taw Nee: (1) Different EAOs and PDFs, as well as brigades within them, must do a better job coordinating with each other about defector recruitment and care. (2) We must continue developing our strategy for transitional justice, amnesty, and reconciliation. What ranks must we try, and what is the threshold for amnesty? (3) In the meantime, we must continue encouraging defectors and internal informants.
Esther Ze Naw: In the past, many thought the Kachin people were exaggerating about how cruel the military was. Even when we gave them sound data, they did not believe us. Now everyone can see the military’s true nature and we can stand together. Now is the best time to overcome the dictatorship. We have long been known as the country with the longest civil war. Now we have a chance to be known as the country with the strongest anti-fascist movement. No one will regret defecting.
Phio Thiha: We should address suspicions about defectors and manage our emotions. Historically, ethnic communities have hated the Bamar because of their control of the military, but now, for the first time, Bamars and minority communities have common ground on which we can rebuild the nation.
Pa Tun: Now is the time to uproot the dictatorship. Intelligence tells us that the enemy is weak. I would like soldiers to reflect on how a good person never survives in this military. Please protect the people and see that this military is not the way to do it. So many within the military claim to be Buddhist, but this 70 years of dictatorship has been a shame to Buddhism.