Naw K’nyaw Paw, an executive member of the Karen Women’s Organization, in an exclusive two-part interview with Karen News spoke about the need for women to be included in peace talks as stipulated under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the impact of drugs and gambling on family life and the added stresses women now face in Burma’s changing…
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The Karen National Union in a move to get behind locally owned businesses has offered its support to Karen entrepreneurs. The Karen National Union’s Mergui-Tavoy District said it is ready to offer its support to Karen companies wanting to set up business in its area. In a recent meeting in Dawei, with members of the recently founded and Karen owned…
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The Karen National Union met with refugees and representatives of civil society organizations in Mae La refugee camp on the Thai Burma border to discuss and explain its ongoing peace building process with the Burma government. The meeting took place on Thursday, August 29 and came on the back of rumors circulating throughout the refugee population that there were plans…
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This year’s Karen wrist tying ceremony came with added significance. A two-year ceasefire still holding, Karen armed groups, once sworn enemies promising to be united and villagers able to travel freely in their homeland. Saw Myint Thu, an organizing committee member for this year’s ceremony in Hpa-an told Karen News that this year’s celebration is the best yet. Saw Myint…
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A move by the Burmese government to send teachers to Karen National Union controlled areas has created tensions with villagers. Saw Mu Htee, from the Karen Teacher Working Group (KTWG) who is visiting Karen schools in the Pa-an district spoke to Karen News. “In 2013, Burmese government sent more government teachers to Karen villages and order local educational authorities. Parents…
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Three tragic incidents involving women sent shock waves through the Tham Tin refugee camp in Thailand this week. The three separate incidents happened on August 13, when two Karen refugee women are alleged to have killed themselves, while a third woman survived an attempted suicide. The incidents happened at the Tham Hin refugee camp in Southern Thailand. The first tragedy…
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After an argument broke out between four members of a Karen militia group three ended up dead from gunshots. The four Karen men were members of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, a Karen armed group led by former Karen National Liberation Army, 7th Brigade Commander General Htin Maung. The KNU/KNLA Peace Council broke away from the Karen National Union and signed…
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The Karen Wrist Tying ceremony – a popular Karen ethnic traditional ceremony is to be held in the Irrawaddy Delta region for the first time. The Karen Wrist Tying ceremony is organized by members of the Karen Literature and Culture Committee based in Pantannaw Township, Irrawaddy Division on August 12. Mahn Win Maung, joint secretary of the Karen Literature and…
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Today is the 63rd anniversary of Karen Martyrs’ Day that commemorates Karen leaders and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Karen people under successive Burma military regimes. In a letter addressing all Karen people, General Mutu Say Po, chairman of the Karen National Union, said that the sacrifice of their lives by its martyrs had help…
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Hundreds of refugees in southern Thailand gathered today to commemorate the Karen Martyrs’ Day on 12 August. The Karen refugees from the Tham Hin camp joined to commemorate the 63rd Anniversary of Karen Martyrs’ Day. Saw Raymond Bu, head of Tham Hin refugee committee bluntly told the large crowd of refugees. “Our lives as refugees, is like that of chickens…
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