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Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will present Dr Cynthia Maung, the founder of Mae Tao Clinic with a honorary doctoral degree in recognition of her work with refugee and migrant communities on the Thai Burma border. Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU), Thailand, will present Dr Cynthia Maung, a Karen doctor and founder of the Mae Tao Clinic on the…

Regional government officials from Pago confirmed that the Karen language is to be taught in every regional government primary school. Saw Jubilee San Hla, the minister of Pago Division Ethnic Karen Affairs, told Karen News that the teaching of the ethnic language would begin at the beginning of 2014/15. The decision came after a meeting on December 9 between the…

In a first for humanitarian organisations in Burma, the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) was awarded the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, in Taipei on Tuesday December 10. The award is given annually for “significant contributions to the advancement of human rights or democracy in Asia through peaceful means.” Established in 1992, The…

As in life, Nelson Mandala, has now in death, unified millions of people across the world. His stand with the oppressed, his fight against great odds to stop injustices, his struggle for equality, his humbleness and his sheer joy – unite. Today, the world’s best international sporting teams – football, cricket, rugby and basketball will remember Mandala. Politicians will speak…

Nelson Mandela, the inspirational figure of Africa’s struggle for freedom and the hero to millions around the world, has died at the age of 95 in the company of his family at home in Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela’s death was announced to the world by South Africa’s current president, Jacob Zuma, who said on television that Mandela had “departed” and was…

Last week the border crossing from Thailand’s Mae Sot to Burma’s Myawaddy opened its doors to let foreign tourists travel overland. Three foreign cyclists crossed into Burma through the Thai-Burma border Friendship Bridge at the Mae Sot-Myawaddy crossing on November 27 to start their tour of Burma. According to immigration officials at the border, the three cyclists, two from Belgium…

Burma courts fine Kachin peace activists 40,000 Kyat for violating a controversial protest law that critics claim is used to gag political dissent. The two activists were charged under Section 18 of Burma’s Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law. They were fined on the 26th of November. The two activists, May Sabe Phyu and Maran Jaw Gun took part in…

Myanmar’s ethnic media is at a crossroads writes Ko Htwe. Government restrictions have eased, but ethnic groups are still fighting for an equal voice. Myanmar’s independent media suffered during 60 years of military rule. The country’s dictator, General Ne Win, effectively banned or censored any media that was not state owned. While a series of reforms implemented by President Thein…

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Australia for five-day visit,criticised Burma’s current constitution as being “undemocratic” and urged the international community to put added pressure on Burma’s government to undergo further reforms. Speaking at the Sydney Opera House on the 27th of November, where Ms Suu Kyi received honorary degrees from both the University of Sydney and the University of…

Recent reforms in Burma have not stopped thousands of migrant workers moving to Thailand in search of work. International workers organisations estimate that more than 2 million Burmese migrants have come to Thailand in search of better paid work. It is estimated that in some villages in Karen State, that as many as 80% of young and middle-aged men and…