Articles

Students from the Children Development Centre (CDC) have an opportunity to continue their education at a Thai university, Rajamangala University of Technology, Tak. The university has decided to move forward with a scholarship program for students of the CDC. Qualified students from migrant schools in Tak province will have a chance to apply for a scholarship, according to Saw Myo…

Burma’s new Government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National league for Democracy party, is in a position to repeal a swathe of colonial-era laws that criminalize cornerstones of a functioning democracy, including freedom of assembly and free speech. Human Rights Watch has called on the new Government to use its parliamentary majority to repeal draconian laws, detailed in a…

The Burma Army is engaging in “systemic torture” of civilians, a report by the Ta’ang Women’s Organisation (TWO) has found. The TWO is a community based human rights advocacy organization representing the ethnic Ta’ang, a minority in Eastern Burma. The report, Trained to Torture, documents more than 100 case studies across 33 villages in the Ta’ang areas. Civilians reported being…

The Karen National Union’s Taw Oo [Taungoo] district burned seized methamphetamine pills worth 400 million Kyat (around USD $350,000) in an event to mark the international Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that was held on June 26. The event was held by the KNU’s armed wing, at the Karen National Liberation Army 2nd Brigade controlled area in Tantabin…

A Karen National Union controlled checkpoint is fuelling tension between the Burma Army in southern Burma. The KNU checkpoint at Htee Khee, in Megui/Tavoy District [Tanintharyi Region] had been ordered by the local Burma Army commander to move out last week. The Burma Army order was given twice – first by a Htee Hta based tactical commander from Military Operations…

A prosthetic leg production center has been set up in Klo Yaw Lay area of Hlaingbwe Township on June 20, with the coordination of Kawthoolei Department of Health and Welfare and Mae Tao Clinic with support of donors from South Korea. The building of the prosthetic workshop started in February 2016. Padoh Saw Eh K’lu Shwe Oo, head of the…

Thailand’s Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha was reported as saying that Burma’s government refugees needed more time to put in place a process to repatriate its refugees. General Prayut was quoted by The Bangkok Post and before the three-day visit of Aung San Suu Kyi’s, the head of Burma’s National League for Democracy government. General Prayut said discussions between Thailand…

Villagers in Karen State are less than ecstatic that more than 232 acres of farmland, confiscated by the Burma Army and other government officials will be returned to them. The National League for Democracy Government’s Land Management Group, based in Karen State, said the land would be returned to its rightful owners. Villagers said the 232 acres are just the…

Soldiers from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, including a battalion commander, reunited with the Karen National Liberation Army 201 Battalion, Brigade 6th on June 17 in Kawkareik Towship Karen State. The DKBA troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Saw Naw Ku, commander of 908 Battalion, the deputy company commander Captain Saw Koo Nu, Platoon commanders Captain Saw Maw Ploe and Captain…

The Karen Women’s Organisation released a statement to commemorate the 2016 World Refugee Day and said that despite recent positive changes in Burma people are still being displaced by Burma Army offensives. “Despite the on-going peace process in Burma today, thousands of ethnic people are fleeing fighting, and many of them are not able to cross international borders to safety.”…