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The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) issued a statement on December 20, calling for the international community to exert more pressure in three ongoing proceedings against perpetrators of genocide and mass atrocities against the Rohingya people: the genocide case brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the forced deportation investigation before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the more…

The KNU statement was released following Burma Army shelling of villages that has now displaced an estimated 10,000 civilians this week. The KNU said the recent fighting that took place on 15th December was a result of its self-defense against “Myanmar military council’s arrest of individuals temporarily sheltering at Lay Kay Kaw, destruction of their homes, and deployment of military…

Local community organizations, responding to the emergency needs of the displaced people, estimate 2,000 residents from Lay Kaw Kaw and another 2,000 villagers from nearby villages such as Htee Meh Wah Khee, Yathit Gu, P’Hee Klaw, Maw Toh Talay fled their homes to seek safety. A community worker, helping the displaced villagers, told Karen News. “The fighting in the Lay…

The fighting followed a Burma Army raid on Lay Kay Kaw village that is under the control of the Karen National Union. The Burma Army 560 Light Infantry Brigade led the raid and kidnapped a number of people, including an elected National League for Democracy, Member of Parliament. On Monday three Burma Army columns entered the areas from different directions…

A Facebook live-streaming of the protest showed protestors destroying buildings and facilities belonging to the Thai camp commander as well as security checkpoints and entrance gates. A protester could be heard in the Facebook live-stream shouting; “We can’t afford to pay the 1,000 Baht travel permit cost,” suggesting anyone who wanted to leave the camp had to pay 1,000 Baht…

The mountain areas of Northern Karen State can get cold, close to freezing in high places once the cold weather sets in. When the Burma Army attacked their villages people fled with only what they could carry –cooking pots, food stores or blankets or clothing were left behind. The villagers are now in urgent need of warm clothes and medicines.…

Despite the Burma Army’s declaration of a five-month unilateral ceasefire from October, 2021 to February 2022, villagers have yet to witness a reduction in its troops in the area or less fighting. Community based groups and Karen National Union (KNU) sources told Karen News Burma Army instead of reducing their numbers in the area, have been sending reinforcements to the…

Camp committee members said on October 5 2021, health workers at Umphiem Refugee Camp had tested positive with Covid-19. Further tests of those in contact with the positive cases found more than 400 people had been infected by the last week of November, 2021. Saw Ni Doh, assistant camp leader, told Karen News that more cases have been reported daily.…

The six-chapter report – Military Atrocities and Civilian Resilience – highlighted security for civilians in rural areas in southeastern Burma deteriorated in the first six months of the military coup, and human rights abuses escalated causing thousands of villagers to be displaced. Naw Htoo Htoo, KHRG’s Program Director said at the release of the report on November 24, the Burma…

Pictures of the trail of destruction circulated widely on social media posts – rolls of bandages, needle packs, gloves and medicine boxes scattered and dirtied on the floor. Filing cupboards forced open and broken. The photos showing the wreckage were taken at the Phalan Taung (Phwa Gaw) Health Centre in Hpa-an Township of the Karen National Union’s Doo Tha Htu…