Karen News

An 11-memeber new central executive committee was voted in at the 5th Karen Youth Organization congress held on June 29 at Lay Wah (Law Khee Lar), Pa-an district in Karen State. The new elected central executive members include Saw Ler Ner as chairman, Saw Eh Soe as vice-chairman, Saw Lar Set Wah as general secretary, Saw Thoo Lei as joint…

The United Nationalities Federal Council are in discussion with the government in order to join the ongoing political dialogue, now widely known as “21st century Pinlon Conference” to be held in August, 2016. Ku Oo Reh, leader of the Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN) said that UNFC needs to continue discussions with the government. The Delegation for Political Negotiation led…

A group of 19 community based organizations has called for an official investigation into the destruction of religious buildings in Burma. The statement was signed on behalf of a range of ethnic and human rights groups both local and international including Burma Campaign UK, Fortify Rights, and the Kachin Women’s Association of Thailand. The statement comes after a spate of…

Health workers in two refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border stopped work over non-payment of compensation and claims that they are treated unfairly by a non-government organization running hospitals in the camp. Camp residents said that on July 5th, health workers employed by Premiere Urgence – Aide Medical Internationale at Mae La and Umpheim Mai refugee camps went on strike…

Students from the Children Development Centre (CDC) have an opportunity to continue their education at a Thai university, Rajamangala University of Technology, Tak. The university has decided to move forward with a scholarship program for students of the CDC. Qualified students from migrant schools in Tak province will have a chance to apply for a scholarship, according to Saw Myo…

Burma’s new Government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National league for Democracy party, is in a position to repeal a swathe of colonial-era laws that criminalize cornerstones of a functioning democracy, including freedom of assembly and free speech. Human Rights Watch has called on the new Government to use its parliamentary majority to repeal draconian laws, detailed in a…

The Burma Army is engaging in “systemic torture” of civilians, a report by the Ta’ang Women’s Organisation (TWO) has found. The TWO is a community based human rights advocacy organization representing the ethnic Ta’ang, a minority in Eastern Burma. The report, Trained to Torture, documents more than 100 case studies across 33 villages in the Ta’ang areas. Civilians reported being…

The Karen National Union’s Taw Oo [Taungoo] district burned seized methamphetamine pills worth 400 million Kyat (around USD $350,000) in an event to mark the international Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that was held on June 26. The event was held by the KNU’s armed wing, at the Karen National Liberation Army 2nd Brigade controlled area in Tantabin…

A Karen National Union controlled checkpoint is fuelling tension between the Burma Army in southern Burma. The KNU checkpoint at Htee Khee, in Megui/Tavoy District [Tanintharyi Region] had been ordered by the local Burma Army commander to move out last week. The Burma Army order was given twice – first by a Htee Hta based tactical commander from Military Operations…

A prosthetic leg production center has been set up in Klo Yaw Lay area of Hlaingbwe Township on June 20, with the coordination of Kawthoolei Department of Health and Welfare and Mae Tao Clinic with support of donors from South Korea. The building of the prosthetic workshop started in February 2016. Padoh Saw Eh K’lu Shwe Oo, head of the…