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In a recent evaluation, the Karen National Union deemed signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and being taken off the government’s unlawful organizations list as two of its biggest political achievements over the past four years. At the KNU’s [ongoing] 16th Congress, representatives were presented with a review of the four-year political agenda established by the previous congress in 2012.…

The 16th Congress of the Karen National Union (KNU) is underway. Karen News spoke to Karen leaders to get their opinions on the election for a new leadership that will come out during the Congress. Naw K’nyaw Paw, (Secretary, Karen Women Organization) “The Karen National Union represents all Karen people. Thus, the person who is going to become the leader…

As the Karen National Union prepares to elect a new leadership body this week, displaced Karen families joined a local environmental group in lobbying for the next chairperson to reject hydropower proposals. On March 14, International Day of Action for Rivers, Karen Rivers Watch held a demonstration on the bank of the Salween. Members of the Ee Tu Htat and…

A bridge naming controversy in Mon State continues as ethnic Karen leaders weighed in this week, cautioning that the decision could have far-reaching repercussions on attempts to broker peace in ethnic areas. The bridge fracas began last month when the Mon State Government announced plans to name a bridge connecting Mawlamyine Capital of Mon State and Chaungzone Township, Bilukyun [Island]…

In downtown Mawlamyine Capital of Mon State, a crowd of 200 gathered on March 14 to stage a protest against hydropower projects in conflict zones. Marking the International Day of Action for Rivers, the demonstrators called for the government to reassess building large-scale dams until the country’s armed conflict is resolved and the political system reformed. Similar rallies were staged…

A Japanese nonprofit has unveiled the largest rehabilitation program to date in Karen State, with 1,250 homes built to resettle conflict-affected families. At the March 10 launch event in Lay Kay Kaw village – where 100 of the residential units have been completed – the Nippon Foundation said it was committed to helping Myanmar realize peace, and announced plans to…

Representatives from the Karen National Union’s central level and from seven districts together with other observers made it to Lay Wah (also known as Law Khee Lar) in Pa-an district Karen State to attend the 16th Congress that started today, March 14, 2017. The KNU representatives and observers from the Karen political parties, Karen armed groups and Karen civil society…

As millions of women around the globe took to the streets or rallies to commemorate the 106th International Women’s Day, the Karen Women Organization rose to the occasion to demand that more women are involved in the Karen National Union leadership and that they take part in the political decision making at all levels. The KWO released a statement offering…

The largest refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border experienced a rash of suicide cases last year, mainly among the youth population, according to a doctor and camp resident. In 2016, there were 57 suicide attempts at Mae La refugee camp, 23 of which resulted in death, according to figures provided by a camp member recording the cases. “When we were…

The Karen National Union is gearing up for its 16th congress next week, with international representatives from 12 countries expected to attend the leadership-determining event. The congress, which was postponed from November last year, could have major repercussions for the KNU’s involvement in the peace process, with a vote expected to shake up the organization’s management. The international delegates, who…