and the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons. (5) The Burmese armed forces cease attacking ethnic minority groups and constructively participate in the conclusion of a credible, nationwide cease-fire agreement, political accommodation, and constitutional change. (6) The Government of Burma, including the armed forces, takes steps toward the implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State and has extended recognition of human rights to all the people of the state of Rakhine, including the Rohingya. (7) The Government of Burma is clearly on the path to civilian control over its security forces, including constitutional reforms to relinquish military control of ministries currently under exclusive military control and over 25 percent of the seats in the combined national Parliament. (8) All political prisoners in Burma have been released. (b) Exceptions (1) Certain existing authorities The Secretary of Defense may continue to conduct consultations with Burma pursuant to the authorization under section 1253 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) after the date on which the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that— (A) attacks by Burmese security forces against minority groups, including the Kachin, Shan, and Rohingya, have ceased