Articles

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…

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…