Articles

Burma’s government released 73 prisoners on the 23rd of July, a move welcomed by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). The AAPP is cautious in it’s praise of the current release of political prisoners made by Burma’s government. “Despite the positive steps taken in freeing those imprisoned, there is still the increasing issue of the number of current activists…

A diplomat from the British Embassy in Rangoon met with member of a Karen political party to discuss ethnic issues and the ongoing political reforms taking place in Burma. Mr Joseph Fisher, the second secretary at the British Embassy said at the meeting with the Phalon Sawaw Democratic Party (PSDP), that ethnic issues are a crucial factor in Burma’s transition…

Villagers in Htantabin Township witnessed the Burma Army putting up placards claiming their land that was confiscated under the former military regime. Villagers said that the Burma Army put up the placards on the disputed land on July 20. Villagers said the original landowners are currently in negotiations to get back their confiscated farmlands returned to them through the government’s…

A prominent human rights group has called into question President Thein Sein’s recent commitment to clear Burma’s jails of prisoners of conscience by the end of the year, with a human rights activist jailed in Rakhine State the same day the announcement was made. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma issued a statement calling for the President’s words…

The Karen National Union (KNU) has agreed to sign two ‘Deed of Commitment‘, on the protection of children and women, with the Switzerland based Geneva Call in Hpa-an on July 21. Geneva Call is a humanitarian organization dedicated to engaging armed non-State actors (NSAs) towards compliance with the norms of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law (IHRL). Padoh…

The Karen Nation Union (KNU)’s general secretary, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, said that mine clearance in KNU controlled areas would be dependent on ceasefire conditions and if a level of trust with the government could be reached. Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win said that taking into account the current status of the peace talks now, is not the time…

The Karen Community Association UK (KCA UK) has called for Prime Minister David Cameron to pressure President Thein Sein to withdraw his soldiers from ethnic states in order to demonstrate he is serious about improving human rights. Despite a ceasefire agreement being reached between the Government and the Karen National Union (KNU) in 2012, human rights violations including forced labour,…

The Burma News International (BNI), an alliance of mainly ethnic news organizations rejected the controversial draft Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law that was approved by the Lower House of Parliament on July 4. The BNI in its statement released on July 9 said that its strong opposition is because the law has too much control over ethnic media outlets. Ko…

The Karen National Union (KNU) in Southern Burma allege that a Burma Army commander threatened to kill villagers who met with its local officials to lodge complaints over land disputes. Saw Eh Mu Dah, the KNU’s Ler Mu Lah Township leader in the Mergui-Tavoy District claims that a Burma Army commander intimidated villagers. “2nd Battalion Commander Nay Pyo Win, of…

A survey conducted by the Karen Refugees Committee at the Tham Hin camp Southern Thailand found that 46 percent of those Karen refugees who were surveyed want to resettle to a third country, another 27% would prefer to remain in Thailand and 27% would only go back to Burma is peace is guaranteed. The KRC surveyed 6,195 refugees in the…