Articles

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) in its latest meeting held with its member organizations, ethnic armed groups and political groups have reached a common position to push for a national convention. The UNFC said that its aim is to include everyone in the drafting of a new federal democratic constitution. During a three-day workshop held from July 5th to…

Despite the ceasefire between the government and Karen armed groups landmines are still a massive risk to people in Karen state. A Karen woman, Naw Ma Pain, 41-, who lives in Htee Kyar Mae village in Waw Lay area, Myawaddy Township, Karen State, stepped on the landmine on early May that resulted in the amputation of her leg. Naw Ma…

On Sunday morning nine explosions ripped through the Bodh Gaya Buddhist temple in India where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained enlightenment. In a recent development, Indian security forces today took four people into custody suspected of being involved in the explosions. The bombs exploded in a thirty minute period, starting at 5.30 am as pilgrims made their way…

Two people were injured in two separate landmine incidents, in February and June 2013 in Mone Township, Nyaunglebin District, leading to fears that land mine areas have recently been laid. On February 2nd 2013, a 22-year-old man was walking home after collecting firewood in Maw Lay Forest when he stepped on a landmine, sustaining injuries to his leg. On June…

The Karen National Union’s armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army’s 7th Brigade based in Hpa-an District, has entered a commercial venture – a trading and tour company. for the first time in its history earlier this month. The legally registered company is named as the Moe Ko San Travel and Tour Company Limited and Trading Company Limited and it…

The independent Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), documented in May that two incidents involving grenades and fired by soldiers wounded villagers, including children. The civilians suffered from injuries from grenades of the government’s militia, Border Guard Force, in Bo Tho Township, Papun Distict, Karen State. I In January 2013, a 23-year-old woman and her one-year-old son were wounded when a…

A Rangoon based activist was jailed by the government for his role in organizing anti-government protests with farmers, over land confiscated to make way for a copper mine. Burma Campaign UK, a human rights advocacy group based in the United Kingdom, called on the British Government last week to pressure Burma’s government to repeal all repressive laws and release all…

A Shan human rights group condemned the Burma Army for shelling a Buddhist temple in central Shan State, eastern Burma and said the government disrespects religion, except when it uses it for its own propaganda. The Shan Human Rights Foundation claim that last week Burmese troops from Light Infantry Battalion 525 launched an artillery attack on the village of Wan…

Burma’s military has renewed offensives in Shan State this month, leading to displacement of civilians and has occupied a Buddhist temple, turning it into a military base, say local rights group. As Burma’s military attacked the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) last week, a Buddhist temple found itself in the middle of the conflict zone. On June 23, the Army sent…

Karen humanitarian groups working with a Norwegian non-government-organization, as part of the Myanmar Peace Support Initiative, plan to start its second phase of a pilot project designed to help displaced Karen people in eastern Burma. The Karen National Union’s Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP), the Karen Office of Relief and Development (KORD) and the Norwegian People’s Aid run…