Articles

Naw K’nyaw Paw, an executive member of the Karen Women’s Organization, in part two of and exclusive interview with Karen News talks about the impact of drugs and gambling on family life and the added stresses women now face in Burma’s changing political landscape. Karen Women Are A Part Of The Struggle To Free Our People Karen women must participate…

Naw K’nyaw Paw, an executive member of the Karen Women’s Organization, in an exclusive two-part interview with Karen News spoke about the need for women to be included in peace talks as stipulated under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the impact of drugs and gambling on family life and the added stresses women now face in Burma’s changing…

The Karen National Union in a move to get behind locally owned businesses has offered its support to Karen entrepreneurs. The Karen National Union’s Mergui-Tavoy District said it is ready to offer its support to Karen companies wanting to set up business in its area. In a recent meeting in Dawei, with members of the recently founded and Karen owned…

A leading women’s activist has been jailed after leading a peaceful protest against copper mine project, sparking outrage from human rights groups, including Burma Campaign UK. Naw Ohn Hla, a former political prisoner and leading member of the Democracy and Peace Women Network, was arrested on August 13th after staging an unauthorized protest against a government backed copper mine project…

In an exclusive interview with Karen News, General Baw Kyaw Heh, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and is its second highest commander explained his concerns about the current peace building process with the government and why he thinks the recent ceasefire focus is now on business and not on peace. Gen Baw Kyaw…

Karen villagers have accused a Burmese military commander based at Wah Kla (Wah Daw) village in southern Burma of abusing local villagers in an attempt to instigate conflict with the local Karen National Union (KNU). A villager from Wah Kla who asked not to be named for security reasons spoke to Karen News. “On September 3, Lt. Colonel Aung Win…

A Karen National Union (KNU) delegation led by its chairman General Mutu Say Poe met recently with Karen political parties in Hpa-an to discuss plans it has for amendments to Burma’s contentious 2008 Constitution. The KNU delegation met with the Phalon Sawaw Democratic Party (PSDP), the Karen People Party (KPP), Karen State Development Party (PSDP) and Karen Democratic Party (KDP)…

Human Rights Watch warns that Burma’s draft association law fails to meet international human rights norms and should be revised, warning that it permits “excessive government control” over civil society groups. Burma’s draft Law Relating to the Forming of Organizations, made public on July 27, 2013, threatens civil society groups, says HRW. The draft associations law contains a number of…

The Karen National Union met with refugees and representatives of civil society organizations in Mae La refugee camp on the Thai Burma border to discuss and explain its ongoing peace building process with the Burma government. The meeting took place on Thursday, August 29 and came on the back of rumors circulating throughout the refugee population that there were plans…

Kyauk Khet villagers, devastated after losing their homes in last week’s floods are scared of rebuilding as weather authorities predict more heavy rain for the region. Villagers watched in horror as last week’s heavy rain caused the Kyauk Khet River to break its banks and wash away 17 houses. Kyauk Khet village located in Myawaddy Township, Karen State is split…