Articles

The Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC) convened a summit of Karen State political parties on August 29 to discuss the formation of a united political front. Representatives from the Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party, the Kayin Democratic Party, the Kayin State Democracy and Development Party, and the Kayin Unity Democratic Party attended the meeting at the Thu Maydar Yama Gyar Tawya…

Supporting the nuts and bolts of implementing the peace process, a local-level committee was formed with an office in Hpapun township, Karen State officially opened on August 30. This is the first local-level Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee to get to work. The eight-member committee includes three representatives from the government, three from ethnic armed organizations and two from the community.…

Refugee advocates on the Thai Burma border have called for international donors to continue funding for refugees and internally displace people in Burma. The Shan State Refugee Committee (Thai Border) issued a statement that pointed out that “food aid we have received has been gradually reduced, and will be totally stopped in October 2017.” The Shan State Refugee Committee estimated…

After three H1N1 flu cases were confirmed at a refugee camp along the Thai-Myanmar border last week, the area has been under quarantine with entries and exits temporarily suspended, according to officials at the camp. The Karen Refugee Committee send the restriction at the Mae La Ma Luang Camp is effective for 15 days starting from August 23, when the…

A drug rehabilitation group has launched an educational campaign to promote awareness about their services, and convince youth to kick the habit, or not to start in the first place. The Myanmar Drug Addicts Rehabilitation Association (Central) launched the education program on August 23, with a talk in Kya-in Seikkyi township in Kayin (Karen) State. Around 500 people attended. “[Drugs]…

The frontline humanitarian organization, Free Burma Rangers, released a report that supports statements made by the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) that the Burma Army is targeting civilians in Northern Burma. The Free Burma Rangers said that “on August 11th the Burma Army launched an unprovoked attack against civilians in Kasung Village, west of Myitkyina, Kachin State. The FBR said…

The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) released a statement demanding the Burma Army stops it abuses of civilians. The KWAT said it its statement that “on August 11, 2017, hundreds of Burma Army troops entered Kasung village, in Mogaung township of Kachin State, shooting indiscriminately at civilians. One villager was killed, at least two injured, and over 1,000 IDPs were…

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…