KNU

August 12 marks the Karen Martyrs’ Day and its people scattered around the world take time to honor and remember those who died for freedom. Every year Karen leaders, soldiers and civilians commemorate the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the cause of the Karen people under successive Burma military regimes. Karen civilians and leaders from Karen National…

In an interview with Karen News, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, deputy leader of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), said that an agreement had been reached with the Burma government to establish a federal union. He added that the agreement would guarantee the equality of nationality and rights to self-determination through future political dialogue. “We have reached the agreement…

The Karen National Union’s, secretary 1, Padoh Saw Thaw Thi Bweh told Karen News that unless the situation in Burma guarantees refugees safety, their dignity and is conducted according to international humanitarian guidelines any return at the moment is not appropriate. In an interview with Karen News, Padoh Saw Thaw Thi Bweh, Secratry of the Karen National Union, warned that…

The Karen National Union (KNU) has chosen five leaders to represent it at the upcoming Ethnic Armed Organization Conference in the Kachin Town of Laiza on July 24. The conference is being held to discuss the proposed nationwide ceasefire agreement and the KNU delegation, will be led by its Chairperson, General Mutu Sae Poe. The Ethnic Armed Organization Conference will…

Fighting between Karen soldiers and Burma Army troops broke out in Papun District last week killing one and wounding one Burma Army soldier. Sources from the Karen National Union’s Papun district office confirmed to Karen News that soldiers from a Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) 5th Brigade unit clashed with a Burma Army patrol. The Burma Army troops were based…

A new clinic that will provide free primary health care to villagers in Kawkareik Township is at its final construction stage and will soon be ready to receive patients. The clinic is being built in Nan Shwe Mone village, Kawkareik Township under the initiative of the Karen National Union, will give free treatment and healthcare services to villagers from rural…

General Tamla Baw, one of the most respected Karen leaders has died. General Tamla Baw passed away on Thursday June 26, at 9.24pm in the Thai border town of Mae Saraing. General Tamla Baw was a man of deeds and spent his life fighting for freedom, democracy and self-determination for Karen people, and for all the people of Burma. General…

Karen community groups have for the first time have called on the Karen National Union to show more transparency and openness in their ongoing peace talks with the Burma government. Six Karen civil society groups based in Burma and overseas made their call for the meetings between the KNU and government to be more open so people know and understand…

Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung, a Central Executive Committee member of the Karen National Union said in his speech at a peace process consultation meeting that lasting and genuine peace could only be reached when there is mutual respect between the government, ethnic groups and citizens. Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung made the statement while attending a peace building process consultation meeting…

Mahn Robert Zan, an advisor to the Karen Communities of Minnesota and a former Karen freedom fighter urged the Karen National Union (KNU) to set a limited timeframe for their ceasefire negotiations with Burma’s government. Mahn Robert Zan, a son of former KNU chairperson Mahn Ba Zan, made the statement during an interview with Karen News while attending the 10th…