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More than 1,000 villagers have fled in the face of new operations by the Burma Army against the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N), said the Shan Human Rights Foundation. “Atrocities by Burmese troops in a new military operation against the SSA-North have caused over 1,000 villagers, from 16 villages in Tangyan, to flee from their homes during the past two weeks.”…

Villagers in Hpa-an Township, Karen State say for the first time in memory Government officials have involved them in discussions about a development project planned for their area. Villagers’ say an assessment was carried out and they were consulted with over a development project before it started. Karen State Ministers and Members of Parliament visited Mi Kayin village on April…

Disputes over land issues have increased in the Hpa-an Town region in Karen State since the establishment of economic zones and a rush to start ‘development projects’ in the area. Myaing Thar Yar villagers have reported to government officials that the children of Khun Bayin, an early settler of the village, are claiming their lands. Villagers said Khun Bayin’s children…

Burma Campaign UK, a human rights advocacy group, has urged the European Union to refrain from lifting further sanctions on Burma citing the deteriorating situation in Shan State. “There is no doubt that there have been dramatic changes in Burma in the past two years, and that there is opportunity for further change which must be encouraged. However, European Union…

The Burma government and Karen health officials have agreed to join forces to combat malaria in rural communities. Officers from the Karen National Union (KNU) health department and the Dr Win Naing, the Burma government health director for Karen State, agreed to cooperate to fight malaria at a recent meeting in Karen State. The head of the Karen Department of…

A Shan environmental organization warned that the recent increase military tension between the Burma Army and the ethnic armed group, the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N), could destroy cease-fire agreements and result in conflict that could cause massive displacement in Northern Shan State. The Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization said that on March 26, the Burma Army issued an ultimatum to the…

The Burma Army orders Shan Army to clear way for Chinese Mega Projects while surrounding Shan State with tanks and artillery. Burma’s military has given an ultimatum to the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) to remove its troops from the West Bank of the Salween River, near the construction of a Chinese backed mega dam. On March 26, Burma’s Northeast Regional…

The Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT) and Phalon Education Development Unit (PEDU) began a seven-month auxiliary obstetrician-training course on March 31, in Pa-an Township, Karen State. The training opening ceremony was held in Taunggalay village and nearly 40-people attended the opening ceremony, including the BPHWT’s director, Saw Kyaw Win, Karen State Health directorate Dr. Win Naing, village administrators, health…

For the first time, Karen people from different regions inside Burma and from the Thai-Burma border got together to discuss current Karen affairs in Hpa-an Town, Karen State. After two days of talks, a Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC) was formed to work towards securing a better future for all Karen people. The meeting held from March 29 to…

Government authorities have applied pressure to 30 villagers in Cha Khan village who have refused to relocate, to make way for the construction of the Dawei deep-sea port. The villagers are refusing to move until they are given what they think is fair compensation. According to local people,the 30 villagers from Cha Khan Village in Htein Gyi tract, Tenasserim Division…