Karen

In the past few months, various media reports have quoted some concerns and opinions of KESAN regarding the ongoing peace process in Burma. This statement clarifies and expands upon these issues. Our perspective on the peace process and peace funds Sustainable peace is the long-term vision of Karen people. That vision incorporates rule of law, the protection of human rights,…

In a small bamboo hut located at the bottom of a mountain in the Dawna Ranges, that rises in Eastern Burma, a small girl is busy putting firewood in a stove made out of three stones. The girl is, Naw Bleh Hsi, fills the water in a smoke blackened pot and sits it on top of the three-stone-stove to boil.…

Burma’s 60 years of ongoing civil war – the world’s longest – has driven what was once a wealthy regional power into one of the poorest countries in the world. Endemic issues face Burma. With over 500,000 internally displaced people (IDP), a general lack of infrastructure, few education opportunities and poor healthcare, the people of Burma face many challenges. Due…

As part of their recent signed ceasefire agreement, local government authorities and leaders of Karen armed groups put away their weapons and attended a school opening ceremony at Leh Haw village under Kawkareik last week. The village head, Saw Pha Ta Pot, Karen National Liberation Army officers, Democratic Karen Buddhist Army representatives and government officials pledged to encourage and support…

Colonel Moe Phyu, a senior officer with the Karen National Liberation Army, served 37 of his 62 years in the Karen revolution, died on May 11th from complication related to hypertension and diabetes. Colonel Moe Phyu started his military career as a private in the KNLA, but quickly rose through the ranks to become a Colonel with the position of…

Naw Zipporah Sein, the Karen National Union’s general secretary welcomed a statement from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi calling for more development in ethnic areas. Noble peace prize Laurent, Aung San Suu Kyi, asked for foreign investors and international development aid providers to consider working not only in central Burma, but also in ethnic rural areas. Aung San Suu Kyi…

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army leader, General Saw Ler Pwe responded to allegations by the Thai government that he is a major drug dealer by holding a press conference with 42 Thai, Burmese and exiled journalists in the Myawaddy Township area close to Thai Burma border. General Saw Ler Pwe [also known as Na Khan Mway] denied repeated accusations made…

Rumors of repatriation of refugees from Burma living in camps along Thai-Burma border are a major causing talking point for camp residents. Recent political developments in Burma and the recent ‘peace talks’ between the Karen National Union and Burma government have added uncertainty to the refugees futures. The Karen Refugee Committee based in Thailand said that they have yet to…

The Karen National Union’s campaign to explain to Karen people the results of their peace talks with the Burma government drew a crowd of 300 in Hlaingbwe Township Karen state earlier this month. The series of KNU public meetings on the peace talk progress began on April 16 on the Thai Burma border. The first meeting was held at a…

Karen leaders based inside Burma said they are satisfied so far with the way the ‘peace talks’ between the Karen National Union and the government delegations are progressing. The Karen Member of Parliament, Nan Say Hwa from Hpa-an told Karen News that there is more support for the KNU’s the second round of peace talks than for the first round.…