Karen News

A Karen leader warns that the Burma government’s offers of ‘business opportunities’ to the various Karen and other ethnic armed factions in territory controlled by the Karen National Union will create conflict and fuel tension. A government newspaper, *Kyaymon*, reported that a breakaway group known as the KNU/KNLA Peace Council signed an initial seven-point agreement on 6thFebruary in the country’s…

The lawyer of Karen National Union leader, U Kyi Myint, said he would defend all charges against Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung, who is now being held in Insein Prison. The lawyer, U Kyi Myint told Karen News that he will try to find the way to defend the major charges keeping the KNU leader in jail. “I will defend him…

It is four years since the assassination of former Karen leader Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan and his killers have yet to be brought to justice. Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan was the Karen National Union general secretary at the time of his murder by unknown assassins in his office in the Thai border town of Mae Sot. The KNU’S…

Access to education for Karen children is compromised by lack of schools, poverty, conflict, displacement, and low or no wages for teachers. Makeshift schools on the Thai Burma border often offer the only chance for young Karen to get an education. The sound of teenagers chanting in English and Karen echoes off the tin roof as teachers point to symbols…

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…

A Korea Christian group made the long journey from their homeland to to Kyay Poe Kee village, Hlaingbwe Township in Karen State tearlier this month to make a donation to the at school. Post Views: 537

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma, released a statement last week that highlighted the challenges facing the impoverished country. He cautiously stated that the West should be encouraged by recent gestures of reform “there has been a continuing wave of reforms in Myanmar, the speed and breadth of which has surprised many international observers…

A Karen military source has confirmed to Karen News that the Burma Army is building up reinforcements and re-supplying its bases despite a KNU delegation and government representatives agreeing in principle to a ceasefire on January 12. The Karen National Liberation Army, estimate that there have been at least thirteen Burma Army landmines casualties in Karen State since ceasefire talks…

The Thai Foreign Minister, Mr Surapong Tovichakchaikul, led a group of visited Burma, border town of Myawaddy to meet with Karen State Chief Minister U Zaw Min on 3rd February. Speaking to the media the Mr Surapong said discussions at the Myawaddy meeting concentrated on migrant workers, border trade, preventing important trade crossing from being closed and increasing goodwill between…

A report by the humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers (FBR) has accused the Burma Army of human rights abuses and armed mobilization in Karen State despite Burma’s Government holding ceasefire negotiations with Karen leaders two weeks ago. Post Views: 747