The Peace Dialogue Panel for Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces (PEDP), led by Gen Wanlop Rugsanaoh, and the Patani Malay National Revolutionary Front or Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) delegation, led by Ustaz Anas Abdulrahman, have met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the fourth round of the Peace Dialogue Process.
According to facilitator Tan Sri Abdul Rahim bin Mohd Noor, the meeting, which was observed by experts, allowed both parties to make significant progress. It also served as an important milestone for long-term peace to be achieved in Thailand’s southern border provinces.
This advancement can be summarized as follows:
1. The PEDP and the BRN endorsed the general principles of the “Peace Dialogue Process,” which define the substantive issues that both parties will discuss in the future. Additionally, the document states that both parties will uphold a dignified and inclusive peace dialogue process, and work to find political solutions consistent with the Patani community’s will under the Unitary State of Thailand’s Constitution.
2. Both sides agreed to collaborate on the “Peaceful Ramadan Initiative” in order to foster a climate of peace during the holy month of Ramadan. This initiative aims to make it safer for people to practice their religions, thereby increasing public confidence in the inclusive peace dialogue process. The two sides will also implement measures related to the peaceful Ramadan initiative in accordance with the General Principles of the peace dialogue process.
3. Additionally, both parties discussed the draft framework for the Joint Working Group/Joint Study Group that will to focus on three critical aspects of the peace dialogue process, namely:
1) Violence reduction
2) Public consultations
3) Political solutions
Contact persons have also been assigned to coordinate the work of each group.
The PEDP is now inviting the public to adhere to agreements under the Peaceful Ramadan Initiative, as part of efforts to help achieve sustainable peace in Thailand’s southern border provinces.
Author: Editorial Staff
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