Karen News

By Saw Lahkbaw* Revolution rejects the existing order. It is a struggle with forces to bring fundamental changes. With disgust, the people revolt against a privileged few that causes hardship, miseries and shame to the rest. It is a salvation of human dignity. Painful as it may be, revolution is for a better future — for a new society. The…

The reality behind the statistics is brutal. A health system that has been under-resourced and driven into the ground for decades by the military and who now lists doctors, nurses and health workers as targets for arrest. Humanitarian groups have reported there have been at least 200 attacks on health workers and facilities that have left at least 17 people…

The letter from the ethnic Karen women acknowledges Palmer may have been attempting to be funny, but criticized his execution and choice of subject. “It was most certainly offensive and not in the least amusing. He has trampled on the ethnicity and lived experience of women who are living under an oppressive military dictatorship.” Karen women and people of Myanmar…

By Naw Eh Eh/Karen News Officially known as Migrant Learning Centers (MLCs), the Burmese migrant schools in the Thai border province of Tak, are making preparation in the hope classes can be held in the academic year 2021-2022. In 2020-2021, the pandemic kept all migrant schools in the area closed during the academic year. Migrant education leaders are closely coordinating…

A Karen National Liberation Army spokesperson from its 5th Brigade said its records showed fighting since May had been on the increase. Lieutenant Colonel Saw Kler Doh said that with the increased number of clashes were higher death and wounded rates. Lieutenant Colonel Saw Kler Doh told Karen News since May until the end of June the KNLA had killed…

By Conor Phelan* KPSN filmed footage of villages destroyed by airstrikes – schools, buildings and houses have been flattened, with many homes riddled with bullet holes, caused by Burma military helicopters. The Burma Army released statements stating the airstrikes were a response to the Karen National Liberation Army’s (KNLA) seizure of a military outpost in the Mutraw district. According to…

By Conor Phelan* A health worker, Saw Doe Doh, told Karen News the wet season is adding to the already serious health risks displaced villagers are facing, especially with an increase in malaria, dengue fever and diarrhoea cases. The wet season also adds to the difficulties displaced villagers have to face flooded rivers are dangerous to cross and travelling by…

During the visit, members of the Karen parties were asked for their executive lists as well as personal information and if they issued a letter of support for the National Unity Government (NUG), according to a Karen party official. An official from the Kayin People’s Party (KPP) said that on June 16 the General Administration Department and its affiliates inspected…

By Conor Phelan* The government has restricted access to social media and the internet. On the 4th of February, popular social media sites Facebook, Facebook messenger and WhatsApp were blocked, followed quickly by Twitter and Instagram. The military appointed State Administration Council imposed nationwide internet blockades, regularly lasting from 1am to 9am, since February 15. The government’s attempt to supress…

Naw Nang Thazin, a health care provider looking after IDPs told Karen News that building shelter is critical as the wet season has placed many of the displaced villagers at risk. “There are 4,000 refugees and as they are not settled in one place like before it has made it difficult to arrange shelters for them. A local Abbot has…