Articles

Illegal sand dredging has continued unabated on an island in Hpa-an township, despite locals’ complaints that the activity is causing massive erosion. The dredging on Ta Yoke Hla Island was first noticed by the residents in July, and they reported to the local police at the start of August. But they say no action has been taken. “Their investigation is…

Several villages in Karen State may soon be hooked up to the electrical grid once a new sub-station comes online, according to an official from the State Electric Power Enterprise. “We are trying to distribute power to Myawady, Kawkareik, Kyondoe, Sukali and Waw Lay Myaing from the 230-kV Mawlamyine power station via the Thin Gan Nyi Naung sub-station, which is…

A company soliciting public backing for its rock quarry project received instead a deluge of fury and objections during a consultation held over this past weekend. The Explosives Consultation and Application Myanmar Company held an initial public meeting with Karen State residents on August 19 to test the waters. About 300 residents attended the discussion with the ECA company’s managing…

The State Chief physician confirmed at a press conference held on August 15 that one AH1N1 flu positive patient had died at Hpa-an Hospital. Doctor Kyaw Myint, chief physician of the Karen State Public Hospital stated during the press conference that there were two AH1N1 positive patients and twelve AH1N1 suspected patients in Karen State as of August 15. “In…

With the leniency period now over, Thailand has warned that any remaining unregistered migrant laborers may be deported. Until the August 7 deadline, employers were instructed to register all undocumented workers without risk of facing newly increased fines. Over 772,000 migrant workers were registered during the recent amnesty window, according to the Thai Labour Ministry. The majority of the workers,…

A leader of the Karen National Liberation Army has called for continuing the fight for ethnic autonomy, but through peaceful, political means. Speaking on the 67th anniversary of Karen National Martyrs’ Day, General Saw Johnny said Karen autonomy has not yet been realized, and the sacrifice made by Karen martyrs has not yet been fulfilled, but he added that violence…

Ethnic health workers have been awarded government recognized certificates after a joint training held by government and Karen health departments in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. The 31 trainees who completed the seven-month maternal child and reproductive health course provided by Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) and government Health department were awarded certificates on August 8 at the General…

Hundreds of the Karen migrant community gathered on August 6 in the Thai border town of Mae Sot to celebrate the traditional wrist-tying ceremony at a local monastery. “The tradition of tying white cotton thread around wrists has been passed down through generations and it is not only a traditional legacy of Karen people, but also intended to enrich people’s…

The Shan Human Rights Foundation alleged that recent Burma Army offensives have targeted civilians that resulted in disappearances, arrests and human rights abuses, including torture. The Shan Human Rights Foundation said the targeting of villagers followed a clash between Burma Army soldiers from its IB 249 the ethnic armed group, the “RCSS/SSA near Hai Khai village, Nam Pha Khee tract.”…

A new network of activists and civil society groups has been warning Karen State residents of the dangers of coal through environmental awareness trainings held from July 20 to August 5. The Karen State government greenlit a 1280-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Hpa-An township to be built by joint Thai-Japanese company Toyo-Thai Corporation. The power plant would sit between Wut…