Articles

An international aid agency has warned that ongoing instability in Burma is blocking prospects for a sustainable peace and the repatriation of communities displaced by conflict. The Border Consortium (TBC), which delivers aid to Burmese refugees in Thailand and internally displaced people in Burma, said that peace efforts were “stumbling,” leaving conflict-affected communities in the dark. There has been a…

The Rangoon based Kayin People’s Party (KPP) is focused on winning five ethnic Karen nationalities affair seats in the upcoming 2015 national election. The five constituencies are in the State and Regions outside of the designated Karen State, but where large populations of Karen people live. The Burma 2008 Constitution reserved one ethnic based minister’s seat for ethnic nationalities that…

An international human rights organisation claims in a statement released 6th November that the Burma Army is committing human rights abuses with impunity in conflict areas. The statement, released by South East Asia based Fortify Rights, stated that the Burma Army was deliberately attacking and killing civilians. Matthew Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights, said that the government claims of…

Aung Kyaw Naing’s death in military custody has triggered fears the government is sending a message that no journalist in the country is safe. The Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that up to Sept 10 this year, 40 journalists had been killed while reporting. The name of Myanmar journalist Aung Kyaw Naing, also known as Par Gyi, who was killed…

The Plone-Sawow Democratic Party (PSDP), a Karen State based political party said that their request to lift a voting decree in 147 polling areas of Karen State for the 2015 national election had been refused by Burma’s Union Election Commission (UEC). The 147 areas were deemed by the UEC to be ‘unsafe’ as they were in areas affected by armed…

Free Burma Rangers, an organisation delivering humanitarian assistance to conflict affected areas, stated that clashes between the Burma Army and ethnic armed groups continued into October with reports of government forces resorting to looting, torture and arbitrary detention. “There are claims that civilians are being conscripted into Burma militia training; Burma Army troops make a regular practice of establishing checkpoints…

When ethnic fighters clashed with the Myanmar military in Myawaddy Township last month, most ethnic Karen farmers stayed put, despite fears the army would respond with violence. “They have run away so many times, they are tired of running,” said Reverend Day Bert, the 70-year-old pastor at Myawaddy’s Baptist Church. With Thailand just across the narrow Moei River, Karen people…

The killing of freelance journalist, Aung Kyaw Naing, (also known as Par Gyi), while held in custody by the Burma Army in Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State, has outraged human rights organizations and journalist groups. The Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) bluntly stated in a media statement released yesterday that Aung Kyaw Naing’s death “is a shocking reminder of how…

The Karen National Party (KNP), a newly formed Karen political party has yet to hear back from the Union Election Commission if its registration has been formally accepted. The KNP said it is reluctant to carry out any of the party campaigns as it has not yet received response from the Union Election Commission – the KNP submitted its application…

General Ner Dah Bo Mya, the head of the Karen National Defence Organisation told Karen News that armed conflict this month in Burma is linked to plans to build hydropower dams on the Salween River. In an exclusive interview General Ner Dah explains to Karen News why he has placed his troops are on high alert. General Ner Dah said…