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High profile women, including actress Dame Judi Dench and actress Gillian Anderson, have put their names to a document calling on action to stop the sexual assault and rape of women in Burma. The pledge, which was released to mark International Women’s Day, called for: 1. An investigation into rape and sexual violence by the Burmese military against ethnic women…

A recent meeting between different Karen armed groups reached a decision that the Karen National Union is to lead the groups political agenda. The meeting held on February 29, 2016 at the Karen National Liberation Army’s headquarter in Pa-an District, Karen State is a regular event among the Karen Armed Groups Unity Committee that represents various the KNLA, KNU/KNLA Peace…

The Karen National Union is outraged that media reports said it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the with the government to construct a hydro-power dam as untrue. The KNU issued a denial after Karen communities inside Burma and overseas, incensed by the reports, lashed out at the ethnic political organization for giving the go-ahead for the government to…

Fighting broke out between the Burma Army and Karen fighters in Papun Township, northern Karen State on February 24, over claims that the government soldiers had violated a ceasefire agreement. The dispute began when the Burma Army transported food rations to its frontline bases. Karen National Liberation Army officers in its 5th Brigade told Karen News that the Burma Army…

A report by the Asian Human Rights Commission warns of a rise in the number of politically motivated arrests. The AHRC welcomed the prospect of the newly elected NLD led civilian government, but pointed to Burma’s ongoing human rights violations. “Despite the historic election having taken place, peaceful protestors have continued to be subject to rights violations,” The AHRC said…

For dozens of elected representatives and losing candidates, as well as the Union Election Commission, the election process is far from over. NAYPYITAW (Myanmar Now) – On a recent February morning, just after Myanmar’s new, democratically-elected parliament convened amid near-universal praise, the office of the Union Election Commission (UEC), situated in a remote corner of the vast capital, was abuzz…

In a move to raise awareness about environmental issues, the Karen National Union’s Forestry department launched a project to encourage communities living in areas under its control to grow more tress. The KNU’s Forestry Department’s ‘greening project’ wants each household to grow three trees each. Mahn Myint Tun, an officer with the KNU’s Forestry Department told Karen News that all…

New executive members of the Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) have called for the new NLD government to put the issue of refugee repatriation on its agenda. The KRC executive said the new government had to ensure refugees could ireturn in safety and with dignity when the time came. The KRC call was made following the election of the new Karen…

War Zwin villagers in Pulaw Township, Tannitharyi Division want their confiscated lands return to them. The villagers’ lands were taken in 2001by Burma Army to make way for the No.12 Secondary Military Training School. Saw Hser K’paw Doh, a War Zwin villager told Karen News that a petition demanding their land be returned was sent to Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief…

Funding for thousands of displaced Karen people living at Ei Tu Hta IDP camp face a daunting future as funding will stop in September 2017. Karen News is led to understand that the funding for basic food assistance for the displaced Karen people living at the IDP camp will end. Ei Tu Hta camp, located on the bank of the…