Karen

A fire has destroyed an estimated 102 buildings in Mae La Refugee Camp, 57km north of the Thai town of Mae Sot. Camp officials say the fire broke out in Zone C at the Mae La Refugee Camp today at 1.30pm and lasted until around 3pm. Naw Day Day Poe, joint secretary of Mae La’s camp committee confirmed to Karen…

January 2014 marks two years since the Karen National Union signed a temporary ceasefire agreement with Burma’s military, controlled government, and it is time now to reflect on what this agreement has so far achieved in real terms for the Karen people. On the positive side our people can now travel more freely because the fighting has stopped. This means…

The 2014 Karen New Year celebrations will be the first time the event is not marked with a military parade or a demonstration of the ethnic armed groups fighting prowess. All Karen armed groups, except the Karen Democratic Karen Benevolent Army have agreed to hold 2014 New Year as a celebration of unity. The Karen National Union, Karen Peace Council,…

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will present Dr Cynthia Maung, the founder of Mae Tao Clinic with a honorary doctoral degree in recognition of her work with refugee and migrant communities on the Thai Burma border. Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU), Thailand, will present Dr Cynthia Maung, a Karen doctor and founder of the Mae Tao Clinic on the…

Regional government officials from Pago confirmed that the Karen language is to be taught in every regional government primary school. Saw Jubilee San Hla, the minister of Pago Division Ethnic Karen Affairs, told Karen News that the teaching of the ethnic language would begin at the beginning of 2014/15. The decision came after a meeting on December 9 between the…

In a first for humanitarian organisations in Burma, the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) was awarded the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, in Taipei on Tuesday December 10. The award is given annually for “significant contributions to the advancement of human rights or democracy in Asia through peaceful means.” Established in 1992, The…

As in life, Nelson Mandala, has now in death, unified millions of people across the world. His stand with the oppressed, his fight against great odds to stop injustices, his struggle for equality, his humbleness and his sheer joy – unite. Today, the world’s best international sporting teams – football, cricket, rugby and basketball will remember Mandala. Politicians will speak…

In an exclusive two-part interview with Karen News, *Zoya Phan, the Campaigns Manager at Burma Campaign UK and recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, outlines what Burma’s government needs to do if it is to have genuine political dialogue with the country’s people. Zoya Phan, the Campaigns Manager at Burma Campaign UK explained to Karen…

Six Karen ethnic boxers have been selected to represent Burma at the coming 27th Southeast Asian Games that will be hosted in Burma from December 11th 2013. A member of the SEA Game organizing committee said that the Karen boxers selected to compete in the SEA Game include Saw Nga Man (Saw Shark), the Burmese golden belt champion, Nan That…

The regional government of Tanintharyi in Southern Burma has given the go-ahead to the Karen National Union (KNU) to allow Karen villages to teach their language and wear traditional dress at school. Following a meeting in Dawei Town on November 8 with KNU leaders, the Tanintharyi Government ministers granted permission for Karen schools to teach their language. P’doh Saw Beeler,…