Karen villager

Nominations for the 2013 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award are now open. The award acknowledges young Karen who have shown outstanding leadership in achieving the goals of the Foundation in areas such as fighting poverty, promoting education, promoting development and preserving Karen culture. An award of $2000 is also given to the organisation or community of the winner. The…

Villagers in southern Burma are demanding that a Thai coal mining company operating in their area return land that the claim the company is occupying is rightfully theirs. More than 13 villagers from Ah Mla, east of Dawei, want the East Star Company to return land that the villagers alleged that the mining company took for their camp and coal…

A senior member of the Karen National Union (KNU) told a public meeting that the Burmese government and ethnic armed groups plan to sign nationwide ceasefire by November. P’doh Mahn Nyein Maung, a central executive committee member, was speaking at a public meeting at its headquarter in Brigade 7 to update Karen people and KNU members of teh KNU’s on-going…

Medics in southern Burma said that they do not have enough medicine to treat a diarrhea epidemic that has swept through a Karen village. Medics for the Karen National Union said that as many as 40 villagers from K’neh Kaw (Pya Tha Chaung) in Dawei Township, in Sothern Burma are sick and needed emergency treatment. A Karen medic working in…

Villagers angry with a Thai company for not paying them ‘promised compensation’ have stopped vehicles from delivering supplies to the $60 billion Dawei project in southern Burma. Villagers from Kaw Htee Lor (Thebyutchaung) east of Dawei, in Southern Burma blockaded the road to protest against the Italian-Thai Development Company (ITD) for refusing to pay compensation for properties damaged caused by…

Kyauk Khet villagers, devastated after losing their homes in last week’s floods are scared of rebuilding as weather authorities predict more heavy rain for the region. Villagers watched in horror as last week’s heavy rain caused the Kyauk Khet River to break its banks and wash away 17 houses. Kyauk Khet village located in Myawaddy Township, Karen State is split…

The Karen National Union (KNU) in Southern Burma allege that a Burma Army commander threatened to kill villagers who met with its local officials to lodge complaints over land disputes. Saw Eh Mu Dah, the KNU’s Ler Mu Lah Township leader in the Mergui-Tavoy District claims that a Burma Army commander intimidated villagers. “2nd Battalion Commander Nay Pyo Win, of…

Despite the ceasefire between the government and Karen armed groups landmines are still a massive risk to people in Karen state. A Karen woman, Naw Ma Pain, 41-, who lives in Htee Kyar Mae village in Waw Lay area, Myawaddy Township, Karen State, stepped on the landmine on early May that resulted in the amputation of her leg. Naw Ma…

The Burma military conducting jet fighter bombing practice in Htan Tabin Township, Taungoo District have not informed villagers so that they can take safety precautions. Villagers going to work on their farms have been terrified as jets drop their deadly loads. Padoh Saw Eh Wah, chairperson of the KNU Taungoo District confirmed the villagers fears to Karen News. “During the…

Captain Gyi No, a Karen National Union (KNU) leader from the Tenasserim Division in southern Burma confirmed with Karen News that a Burma Army officer attacked three villagers without reason on June 5. Eyewitnesses said that the three villagers were so badly beaten that they needed hospital treatment. The KNU’s Captain Gyi No claimed the attacked was unprovoked. “The Battalion…