Karen

For the second year running the Burma’s government allowed Karen people to commemorate their Martyrs’ Day in Rangoon. The 65th Karen Martyrs’ Day was held at the Judson Hall on August 12, 2015. This year’s event organized by Karen youth groups packed out the Judson Hall including representatives of the Karen National Union. Organisers said many people did not attend…

In the speech at the commemoration of the 65th Karen Martyrs’ Day, the head of the Karen National Liberation Army, General Johnny called for all Karen people in the country, on the border and overseas to unite and get involved in the current political struggle. General Johnny said that during the political struggle, inputs from all Karen people are important.…

The winner of 2014 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award, is Karen activist Naw Hsa Moo. With a certificate of recognition, the award comes with a $2000 grant, as a means to practically support the community work by Naw Hsa Moo. Naw Hsa Moo was awarded the prize for recognition of her services to the Karen community. Naw Hsa Moo…

This year’s Friend’s Without Borders Foundation art and cultural festival held at Chiang Mai University Art Centre commemorates the work of Karen human rights activist, Pawlachee Rakchongcharoen, also known as Billy. The Festival runs from 8 to 12 of May. The 2015 festival sub-title, Rak Chongcharoen (Salute to Love), honors the human rights and environmentalism work of Billy. Billy was…

The Karen River Watch, a coalition of Karen environmental community based groups raise concerns over the proposed hydropower dam projects on the Salween River and repeated their call for a halt to all development projects. Together with local villagers, KRW held a protest near Hat Gyi Dam, one of the proposed dam sites in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State on March…

The excitement of having a new primary school to learn in did not last long for students from Htee Klo Thaw village in Hlaingbwe Township, as their newly built school was burnt to the ground by unknown persons, just six days after its opening ceremony. The Karen Community Based Network Group, a group that coordinated the funding for the new…

Traditionally the Karen people believe nature has its own spirits. The Karen people place great importance on these spirits and depend on them for their wellbeing. These spirits live in and are the caretakers of the mountains, forests, rivers and plants. The spirits are also in food including rice. Today many of these traditional beliefs are gradually becoming less practiced,…

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…

An Australia’s Member of Parliament Mr. Luke Simpkins attended the 66th anniversary of the Karen Revolution Day in Karen State on January 31st said he recognised the Karen people’s fight for justice. Mr Simpkins said ,“I support all the ethnic people including the Karen because they are fighting to bring a genuine justice to Burma.” Mr Simpkins said that he…

Australia’s Karen community gathered in Sydney on Saturday to mark the 66th year of armed struggle against successive military regimes in Burma. “The celebration today is to empower the Karen community of Australia and to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Burma,” Saw Lwin Oo, the National President of Australia’s Karen Organisation said, standing beside an Australian flag…