Karen News

Nelson Mandela, the inspirational figure of Africa’s struggle for freedom and the hero to millions around the world, has died at the age of 95 in the company of his family at home in Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela’s death was announced to the world by South Africa’s current president, Jacob Zuma, who said on television that Mandela had “departed” and was…

In His Own Words 1. On His Opposition To Apartheid “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.…

Last week the border crossing from Thailand’s Mae Sot to Burma’s Myawaddy opened its doors to let foreign tourists travel overland. Three foreign cyclists crossed into Burma through the Thai-Burma border Friendship Bridge at the Mae Sot-Myawaddy crossing on November 27 to start their tour of Burma. According to immigration officials at the border, the three cyclists, two from Belgium…

Burma courts fine Kachin peace activists 40,000 Kyat for violating a controversial protest law that critics claim is used to gag political dissent. The two activists were charged under Section 18 of Burma’s Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law. They were fined on the 26th of November. The two activists, May Sabe Phyu and Maran Jaw Gun took part in…

Myanmar’s ethnic media is at a crossroads writes Ko Htwe. Government restrictions have eased, but ethnic groups are still fighting for an equal voice. Myanmar’s independent media suffered during 60 years of military rule. The country’s dictator, General Ne Win, effectively banned or censored any media that was not state owned. While a series of reforms implemented by President Thein…

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Australia for five-day visit,criticised Burma’s current constitution as being “undemocratic” and urged the international community to put added pressure on Burma’s government to undergo further reforms. Speaking at the Sydney Opera House on the 27th of November, where Ms Suu Kyi received honorary degrees from both the University of Sydney and the University of…

Recent reforms in Burma have not stopped thousands of migrant workers moving to Thailand in search of work. International workers organisations estimate that more than 2 million Burmese migrants have come to Thailand in search of better paid work. It is estimated that in some villages in Karen State, that as many as 80% of young and middle-aged men and…

The Karen National Union has opened, in response to village concerns, a clinic to give remote and isolated rural communities access to healthcare. The Kawkreik Township, Dooplaya District KNU office opened the clinic in the Mae Kanel village in Nu Poe area on November 20, 2013. Pa Doh Saw Eh Kaw Thaw, secretary of the KNU’s Kawkareik Township office said…

Despite a ceasefire in place villagers in southern Burma allege that government troops are abusing their authority by threatening them at gunpoint. A villager from Myitta east of Dawei Town claims that a Burma Army officer based in Kwe Waw Wa (Ain Wine), on the Dawei-Htee Kee Road, abused him without reason at gunpoint. U Zaw Min Oo repeated the…

Villagers in Southern Burma are under attack as rats swarm their rice farms and devour their crops. P’doh Saw Htee Wah, secretary of the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Tenaseerim Township, told Karen News. “Villagers in the areas of Ma Noe Ro, Ta Ket, Pa Wat, Kay are facing a huge problem as rats attack their crops at night and destroyed…