Karen News

This years Karen National Day was widely celebrated by villagers, soldiers, refugees and displaced people throughout Karen areas in Burma. A large crowd attended the 65th Anniversary of the Karen National Day held in Karen National Union (KNU) 7th Brigade, Karen State on February 11. Speaking to Karen News, Naw Eh Moe, who said she was pleased to be able…

More than 2,000 internally displaced Karen people felt secure enough to celebrate the Karen National Day in Mutraw District, Northern Karen State. For the first time, on February 11, 2013 over 2,300 displaced Karen villagers taking refuge in Ei Tu Hta internally displaced camp on the banks of the Salween River celebrated Karen National Day. Naw Lah Say Wah, a…

After half a century of isolation, Burma is experiencing reforms, which could lead to new development and foreign investment. However, the weakness of Burma’s civilian institutions, the stranglehold on power by the military, fade out voice from opposition needs to be solved for the betterment of the country’s future. If this does not get solved, Burma will fail to move…

KNU General Secretary, Padoh Kwe Htoo, in an exclusive interview with Karen News stressed that the KNU remains committed to peace, but warns Burma’s government to enact further reforms. “The KNU’s policy is unchanged, despite ceasefire negotiations with the Burma Army. Unity is important for our future struggle. Right now is a critically important time for our people.” He said…

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) met with representatives of the Burma government’s peace committee on the China Burma border early this week. The government’s Union Peace Making Committee held preliminary ‘peace talks’ with the KIO in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China on Monday. The Karen National Union’s chairman General Saw Mutu Say Poe and General-Secretary Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win were…

January 12 not only marked Karen New Year, but also the first anniversary of the Karen National Union’s (KNU) ceasefire with the Burmese Government. That makes it the longest running truce in the six decades old struggle. This is a cause for optimism. Yet a ceasefire is not an end in itself, peace requires a sustainable and equitable settlement. It…

Ashin Pinnya Thami, the renowned monk from Taunggalay Monastery, was injured and hospitalized following a car accident on his way from Pa-an to Rangoon on January 29. Following treatment for an eye injury the Abbott was released from Taunggalay Army Hospital. Ashin Pinnya Thami assistant, U Ahga O’tha, spoke to Karen News. “Ashin Pinnya Thami is back working at our…

The ongoing legacy of deadly mine run-off for a small town in Thailand could be repeated en masse in Burma, where mining companies have little to no oversight and environmental laws are more lax than Thailand. Two small girls sit and sway in a hammock at their playground beside their nursery school of Lower Klity village. They silently stare into…

This year is the 64th anniversary of the Karen Revolution Day and for the first time, members of the Burma government’s army and militia attended the ceremony. A number of Karen Revolution Day ceremonies were held at various statewide locations. As many as 50 Border Guard Force (BGF) militia attended a ceremony at the Karen National Union, Brigade 7, Hlaingbwe…

Government ministers, police officers, the government’s military and representatives of all of the state’s armed groups met and discussed the setting up of economic zones in Myawaddy, refugees repatriation and the country’s legislation system. Colonel Aung Lwin, the Karen State, Border Security Affairs Minister, met with government department officers, the police and representatives of the State’s various armed groups at…