Karen

Following its officially registration with the Federal Electoral Commission, the Karen National Party (KNP) established an executive committee on November 15, 2014. The KNP’s, newly elected secretary, Mahn Kyaw Nyein, told Karen News that the executive committee will work towards getting its officers in charge of respective portfolio in place as soon as possible. “The Executive Committee will act until…

The Rangoon based Kayin People’s Party (KPP) is focused on winning five ethnic Karen nationalities affair seats in the upcoming 2015 national election. The five constituencies are in the State and Regions outside of the designated Karen State, but where large populations of Karen people live. The Burma 2008 Constitution reserved one ethnic based minister’s seat for ethnic nationalities that…

The Karen National Party (KNP), a newly formed Karen political party has yet to hear back from the Union Election Commission if its registration has been formally accepted. The KNP said it is reluctant to carry out any of the party campaigns as it has not yet received response from the Union Election Commission – the KNP submitted its application…

Karen News spoke exclusively with General General Baw Kyaw Heh, the Karen National Liberation Army’s Vice-Chief of Staff, explains about what the alliance between four Karen armed groups and what lies behind the recent outbreak of fighting. For the sake of clarity, Karen News has provided General Baw Kyaw Heh’s answers in full. 
Q: Who will lead the KAF? 
A:…

In an exclusive interview with Karen News, General Baw Kyaw Heh, the KNLA’s Vice-Chief of Staff, explained his decision to back the formation of a united Karen armed force called the Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF). Gen. Baw Kyaw explains his decision, stating that a united Karen armed forces was the best way to “reform the Karen security sector.” “In this…

In statement release yesterday, Sunday 19 October, an alliance of Karen women’s organisations gave their support to plans of four armed groups to reunite under the Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF) banner. The Karen Women’s Organization (KWO), the Karen Women’s Empowerment Group (KWEG) and Karen Women’s Union (KWU) said in their statement that they, “welcome the announcement, on October 13th, 2014,…

A statement released by members of the different Karen armed groups laid out plans for the major Karen armed organisations to form a united Karen force, the Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF). The statement spoke on behalf of the four major Karen armed organisations, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army…

It is no secret that there is division within the Karen nation about how we should respond to the political changes that have incurred in our country since 2011. Some see the ceasefire process as a genuine opportunity to start negotiations that could give the Karen people guaranteed rights. Others see it as a trap, designed to neutralise Karen resistance…

Access to education in Karen State has been compromised by lack of accessible schools, poverty, war, displacement, and low wages for teachers – conditions made worse by a decades-long lack of government funding. Fighting to survive against successive brutal military dictatorships in Burma since 1949, the Karen people formed their own education system, completely separate from the central government. Burma’s…

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…