Thein Sein Government

The Karen Women Organization released a media statement to say the release of the Karen National Union leader, Pado Mahn Nyein Maung, will strengthen the organizations peace efforts. “His leadership and commitment to the Karen people have been missed and his return will strengthen our efforts for freedom.” The Burma Government had promised KNU officials during ceasefire negotiations in January…

The Karen National Union leader, Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung, who was sentenced to life plus three years on March 13th, has arrived back to his organization, the Karen National Union. Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung was released under an amnesty issued by Burma’s president, U Thein Sein, on March 19th. Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung arrived in the Thai border town of…

The jailed Karen National Union leader, Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung will go to sentence on 13 March. His lawyer, said the court scheduled the decision date after hearing from both sides on March 8. “I tried to defend him at the hearing and explained to the judge why Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung should be released. The prosecutor also gave reasons…

The Karen National Union said they are unsure if they will be able to meet the 45-day time frame agreed to with the Burma government during the last ceasefire meeting. Naw Zipporah Sein, general secretary of the KNU spoke to Karen News. “We are not sure if we can meet with Burma government this [February] month. At the moment, we…

The Karen National Union (KNU) chairman General Saw Tamlabaw used his Karen National Day speech to warn Karen people to be both cautious and united during the ‘peace talk’ that could resolve the 63-years civil war. “This is an important time for our Karen people. The government has said it is time want for building a lasting peace, but on…

As Burma’s Parliament prepares for its next session, the London based pro-democracy advocates, ‘Burma Campaign UK’, called on the international community to scrutinize Burma’s upcoming annual budget as a sign of its commitment to implement reforms that benefit the people. Last year’s, President Thein Sein’s government allocated just 1.3 percent of the government budget to health, and just over 4…

A National League for Democracy member, Naw Ohn Hla, told Karen News that she will find a lawyer for Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung, the jailed Karen National Union leader currently serving a 17-year jail sentence in Burma’s notorious Insein Prison. Naw Ohn Hla said she met briefly with Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung at a special court session held in Insein…

A large turnout of Mon political leaders, civil society groups, representative from overseas and delegates from the Thai-Burma border attended the 6th Mon Affairs Union (MAU) Conference in Three Pagoda Township last week. Conference attendees urged the New Mon State Party to hold ‘peace talks’ with the Burma government. An MAU conference attendee told Karen News. “The NMSP should continue…

The Burma government has been busy pushing its peace talk agenda with the country’s armed opposition groups. Last week, government ‘peace talk’ delegations held a series of meetings with Mon representatives, Kachin and members of the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) on 17th January. The government’s delegation was led by former Karen State chairman, Colonel Saw Khin Soe, who…

The Karen National Union’s general secretary Naw Zipporah Sein and a member of the KNU’s Peace Committee said further talks would be needed with the Burma government representatives after yesterday’s meeting in Pa-an town, Karen State. KNU general secretary Naw Zipporah Sein told Karen News. “We signed an agreement with them [government] at the state level. This signed agreement is…