At a public seminar in Thailand last week, Karen and Karenni officials raised concerns about the increasing pressure for refugees to return from the Thai-Myanmar border as international funding for camps dries up. “The refugees from the Thai-Myanmar border are not ready to... Read more ►

In effort to bolster Karen traditions, the Mon State government has donated dance costumes and instruments to five universities, an official said. The Karen literature and culture committees at Mawlamyine University, Mon State’s Technological University, the University of ... Read more ►

The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) met on 11 September to hear a complaint against the Ben Chaung Coal Mine. The coalmine is located in the Thanintharyi Region of Burma and three Thai companies are involved. The complaint, filed by representatives of in... Read more ►

A group of Karen residents in Minnesota are trying to keep their traditions alive among the diaspora by teaching the Karen language and literature. Every weekend from January 28 to September 4, a group that calls itself the Putermine Gontar Temple taught 16 adults and kids i... Read more ►

The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) have released a report that accuses the Burma Army of shelling the northern Shan region of Mong Yai forcing 300 villagers to flee. The Shan Human Rights Foundation statement said that “on September 10 at 8:00 am, a group of about 60 ... Read more ►

Amnesty International have reported that Burma’s military forces are waging a scorched earth campaign against ethnic Rohingya in the northwest of the country. The Amnesty International report states that “more than 80 sites set ablaze in orchestrated campaign since 25 Au... Read more ►

What was supposed to be a public forum on the peace process in Bago Region this week turned into more of a lecture when the question and answer portion of the event was cut. The Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee of Bago Region’s September 12 meeting in Kyaukkyi township... Read more ►

The Karen diaspora is showing increasing irritation at the Karen National Union’s ceasefire stance. The International Karen Organization (IKO) issued a statement on September 9 calling for a review of the current peace process in order to achieve a genuine political settle... Read more ►

Security has been beefed up along the Myanmar-Thai border in response to rumors and scaremongering on social media, according to a member of the Karen State Border Guard Force. “Public concerns are high due to propaganda and indoctrination. We are providing security to pre... Read more ►

Civil society groups in Karen State last week discussed concerns that the official ceasefire monitoring body may restrict their peace-related activities. At a meeting held by the Kayin Women’s Empowerment Group (KWEG) and Belgium-based Nonviolent Peace Force in Hpa-an on S... Read more ►