Karen News

The Migrant Worker Right Network (MWRN), has criticized the Burma and Thailand’s National Verification process for leaving migrant workers open to exploitation at the hands of corrupt brokers. It is estimated that in the last 30 years more than three million workers from Burma crossed borders illegally looking for better pay and to escape the poverty of their own country.…

The human rights activist, Kyaw Hla Aung, is still in prison after being arrested over three months ago. Amnesty International claim he is innocent of any charges laid by authorities and Kyaw Hla Aung is a target because of his political activism and his links to the international community. Amnesty International said, “He has been charged with multiple offences and…

The regional government of Tanintharyi in Southern Burma has given the go-ahead to the Karen National Union (KNU) to allow Karen villages to teach their language and wear traditional dress at school. Following a meeting in Dawei Town on November 8 with KNU leaders, the Tanintharyi Government ministers granted permission for Karen schools to teach their language. P’doh Saw Beeler,…

The Karen National Union and the government have agreed to work together to try to solve contentious land issues, including confiscation. At the regional level meeting between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Tanintharyi government, both sides agreed that the KNU and government would discuss and cooperate on land issues. The meeting between the KNU Mergui-Tavoy District leaders and…

In recent months and as peace negotiations with the government continue, human rights abuses including rape and arbitrary killings at the hands of the Burma Army continue against Kachin people, according to community-based organisations and frontline backpack medics. The conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and Burma’s Army that started in June 2011 has left over 350 villages in trouble,…

In an interview with Karen News reporter, Henry Zwartz, Dr Cynthia Maung explains why she honoured to receive this year’s Sydney Peace Prize, but expressed dismay with the Australian government’s decision to stop funding her clinic as of December 2013. The Sydney Peace Prize is Australia’s only international prize for peace. It is awarded to commend an organization or individual…

As peace negotiations continue, Kachin people continue to suffer human rights abuses including rape and arbitrary killings at the hands of the Burma Army, according to community-based organisations. The conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and Burma’s Army since June 2011 has left over 350 villages in trouble, some abandoned completely, and over 100,000 civilians displaced. The Kachin Women’s Association…

Australian government aid money that has helped save the lives of thousands of people from Burma coming to Mae Tao Clinic, on the Thai-Burma border for critical treatment, is to stop. APHEDA the Australian Trade Union overseas aid provider estimates that as many 45,000 people coming to Mae Tao Clinic have received critical medical treatment this year alone from Australian…

Nominations for the 2013 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award are now open. The award acknowledges young Karen who have shown outstanding leadership in achieving the goals of the Foundation in areas such as fighting poverty, promoting education, promoting development and preserving Karen culture. An award of $2000 is also given to the organisation or community of the winner. The…

Villagers in southern Burma are demanding that a Thai coal mining company operating in their area return land that the claim the company is occupying is rightfully theirs. More than 13 villagers from Ah Mla, east of Dawei, want the East Star Company to return land that the villagers alleged that the mining company took for their camp and coal…