Articles

Burma’s government in a move to speed up trade and tourism between Thailand, announced yesterday, August 28, that it would allow foreigners holding its visa’s to travel into the country by any of the four entry points. The four border gates are between Myawaddy-Mae Sot, Tachileik-Mae Sai, Kawthaung-Ranong and Htee Khee-Sunaron. Speaking at the ceremony held to mark the opening…

This year’s Karen wrist tying ceremony came with added significance. A two-year ceasefire still holding, Karen armed groups, once sworn enemies promising to be united and villagers able to travel freely in their homeland. Saw Myint Thu, an organizing committee member for this year’s ceremony in Hpa-an told Karen News that this year’s celebration is the best yet. Saw Myint…

Following on from his dramatic fact finding trip to Burma last week, when his car was attacked by religious fanatics, Mr Tomas Ojea Quintana, a United Nations special rapporteur on human rights, paid a visit to the Thai-Burma Border to meet with civil society groups. Mr. Quintana met with the border-based groups in the Thai town of Mae Sot to…

Labour rights groups, including the Migrant Worker Rights Network, Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, Human Rights and Development Foundation and State Enterprise Workers’ Relations Confederation of Thailand, have together expressed concern over a lack of clarity in Burma and Thailand’s migration policy as the two countries latest National Verification (NV) policy initiative expires. The NV process, despite being plagued by exorbitant…

Fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army and the government’s militia, the Border Guard Force (BGF) erupted in the Weigyi area of Papun Township, Karen State last week. Soldiers from KNLA Battalion 102 Company under the command of Lieutenant Saw Eh Ka Mwe fought with BGF troops led by Lieutenant AB Lwin from Battalion 1014. The KNLA had 20 soldiers…

A move by the Burmese government to send teachers to Karen National Union controlled areas has created tensions with villagers. Saw Mu Htee, from the Karen Teacher Working Group (KTWG) who is visiting Karen schools in the Pa-an district spoke to Karen News. “In 2013, Burmese government sent more government teachers to Karen villages and order local educational authorities. Parents…

Three tragic incidents involving women sent shock waves through the Tham Tin refugee camp in Thailand this week. The three separate incidents happened on August 13, when two Karen refugee women are alleged to have killed themselves, while a third woman survived an attempted suicide. The incidents happened at the Tham Hin refugee camp in Southern Thailand. The first tragedy…

After an argument broke out between four members of a Karen militia group three ended up dead from gunshots. The four Karen men were members of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, a Karen armed group led by former Karen National Liberation Army, 7th Brigade Commander General Htin Maung. The KNU/KNLA Peace Council broke away from the Karen National Union and signed…

U Kyar Ku, 51 year-old a villager from Kaw Thin Shue, who is on a police wanted list was arrested on August 13 by Hpa-an police and charged with drug and weapon offenses. Speaking to Karen News, a police officer from Myoma Police Station in Hpa-an Townships said. “With information we got from a villager, we arrested the suspect who…

Severe flooding in Karen State has displaced tens of thousands as the Emergency Assistance and Relief Team (EART) calls for help to deliver aid to those families worst affected. Since late July, over 33,000 people have been displaced due to the flooding in Karen State, Burma. Hundreds of families have had their homes completely destroyed, as floodwaters ruined rice fields,…