IDPs

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Media Talk of Repatriation of Refugees Wrong

Media reports this week that talks between the Burma and the Thai government’s focused on repatriation of refugees sent fear and rumours through the nine refugee camps on the border between the two countries. Reports in the Thai English language media got it wrong, according to a spokesperson for the Committee of Internally Displaced People (CIDKP). Saw Steve, chairperson of…

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“We Have Never Seen Peace” – Karen People Have Their Say on International Day of Peace

To mark the International Day of Peace, Karen News spoke to members of the Karen community about the importance of peace. Following six decades of conflict, the Karen National Union entered into a preliminary ceasefire with the Burmese government in 2012. But a lasting peace deal remains elusive and sporadic clashes between KNU and government forces have continued, with the…

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Kachin Displaced Face Humanitarian Crisis

The Kachin conflict, now in its third year, has left tens-of-thousand of displaced civilians without adequate access to health care. A community-based-organisation working with the displaced civilians warned in an interview with Karen News that the health situation is worsening. The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand are concerned that the situation for internally displaced civilians has reached a “crisis” point. “We…

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Burma Army Attacks “Throw Doubt” on Peace Process

Burma Army offensives in Kachin State are undermining the peace process, an ethnic women’s organisation has claimed. The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) expressed concern of the recent escalation in Burma Army attacks in Kachin and Shan States, which had led to “fresh displacement and suffering” of local civilians in a statement released today. “These systematic operations to seize control…

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Fortify Rights: Burma Army Committing “War Crimes” In Kachin State

Burma’s military is engaging in systemic torture against civilians in its ongoing war in Kachin State, now in its third year, and committing “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity,” a leading human rights watchdog has claimed in a report released today. The 71-page report entitled, Ending Wartime Torture in Northern Myanmar, by Fortify Rights, documents the torture and abuse of…

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KNU Housing For Families of Disabled Soldiers and Some Displaced Villagers Almost Completed

The Karen National Union (KNU), in its controlled Hpa-an District has been implementing a low cost housing project for families of disable soldiers from its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army and displaced villagers in the surrounding areas. The housing project is taking place at two places, Maw Poe Kay and Mae Tari. The construction totals a 100-houses –…

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Burma Army Attacks Continue in Kachin State

The conflict, which has lasted for more than two years, has seen the displacement of an estimated 80,000 Kachin people and reports of human rights abuses continue to emerge. Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian organization that delivers aid to displaced people, expressed concern over ongoing Burma Army attacks, including the alleged looting of a village in January by government forces.…

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National ID Scheme Met With Confusion, Indifference, Fear

Burma’s National ID Cards grant relative freedom of travel, allow voting in national elections, access to official schools. Denied for decades basic government services, villagers in Karen State view Burma’s National ID Card scheme with a mix of confusion, indifference, and even fear. Some of the Karen interviewed for this story, referred to the government issued cards as ‘Burma ID…

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Burma Army: Looting, Intimidation, Displacement in Kachin State

Burma Army units in Kachin State are looting the rice rations of internal displaced people (IDP’s), and have fired on a group of villagers in at least one occasion last month, reports the Free Burma Rangers, a frontline humanitarian organization. The FBR lists and dates the Burma Army took over a camp for displaced people. On 21 November 2013, Burma…

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Kachin IDP’s Are Tortured and Jail Sentence Increased

In what human rights groups are calling a blow to Burma’s ongoing reform process, two Kachin IDP’s arrested under Burma’s Unlawful Association Act law have had their jail sentence increased from two years to seven years – the reasons for the increase are as yet unclear. Burma Army units who arrested them last month are also alleged to have tortured…

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