Articles

Burma’s President, U Thein Sein, amnesty on November 15 saw the release of 69 political prisoners, including Naw Ohn Hla. Naw Ohn Hla who was imprisoned for two years because of her involvement in leading protests against the Letpadaung Copper Mining Project, a Chinese copper mine operating in the Sagaing Region. Naw Ohn Hla spoke to Karen News. “I was…

Despite being resettled, displaced Karen villagers in Thar Mae Plaw, in southern Burma, are still living in fear after the Burma Army repeatedly entered their newly resettled site. Saw Honny, a relief worker helping the displaced to resettle in Thar Mae Plaw spoke to Karen News. “Burma Army, Infantry Battalion 101, about 26 soldiers led by 2nd Battalion Commander Aung…

Six Karen ethnic boxers have been selected to represent Burma at the coming 27th Southeast Asian Games that will be hosted in Burma from December 11th 2013. A member of the SEA Game organizing committee said that the Karen boxers selected to compete in the SEA Game include Saw Nga Man (Saw Shark), the Burmese golden belt champion, Nan That…

For the first time in decades, farmers in Dawei Township held a demonstration in Dawei City in an attempt get back farmlands returned to them that were confiscated by the former military regime. Ko Tun Tun Win, a farmer who led the demonstration accused local government officials of implementing development projects on confiscated farmlands without informing or negotiating with owner…

Karen News is led to understand that President U Thein Sein has given directives to his office’s minister not to discuss issues about ethnic states secession and issues that can harm the sovereignty of the country during political dialogue with ethnic groups. Burma government ministers and political parties met in the Myanmar Peace Center on November 10 where President Office…

The Migrant Worker Right Network (MWRN), has criticized the Burma and Thailand’s National Verification process for leaving migrant workers open to exploitation at the hands of corrupt brokers. It is estimated that in the last 30 years more than three million workers from Burma crossed borders illegally looking for better pay and to escape the poverty of their own country.…

The human rights activist, Kyaw Hla Aung, is still in prison after being arrested over three months ago. Amnesty International claim he is innocent of any charges laid by authorities and Kyaw Hla Aung is a target because of his political activism and his links to the international community. Amnesty International said, “He has been charged with multiple offences and…

The regional government of Tanintharyi in Southern Burma has given the go-ahead to the Karen National Union (KNU) to allow Karen villages to teach their language and wear traditional dress at school. Following a meeting in Dawei Town on November 8 with KNU leaders, the Tanintharyi Government ministers granted permission for Karen schools to teach their language. P’doh Saw Beeler,…

The Karen National Union and the government have agreed to work together to try to solve contentious land issues, including confiscation. At the regional level meeting between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Tanintharyi government, both sides agreed that the KNU and government would discuss and cooperate on land issues. The meeting between the KNU Mergui-Tavoy District leaders and…

In recent months and as peace negotiations with the government continue, human rights abuses including rape and arbitrary killings at the hands of the Burma Army continue against Kachin people, according to community-based organisations and frontline backpack medics. The conflict between the Kachin Independence Army and Burma’s Army that started in June 2011 has left over 350 villages in trouble,…