Articles

Karen villagers working in their rice fields and plantations were terrified when jet fighters starting dropping bombs and machine-gunning the area. Government authorities failed to warn citizens that the jet fighters were taking part in a military training exercise in the Taungoo District. Villagers in the Tantabin Township region of Taungoo District said they were frightened by the explosions made…

In the recent President’s amnesty, 65 prisoners were granted their freedom, including a Karen lawyer who had been charged for being disrespectful to the court. U Aung Thu Yein Tun, friend of the Karen lawyer, Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min, confirmed his release to Karen News. “He gave me a ring this morning and told me of his release. I am…

Burmese migrant workers say delays of up to six months in processing their temporary passports so they can get a legal work permit to allow them to work in Thailand is causing them to be harassed by police. “I applied to get temporary passport at an agent based in Mae Sot. The agent said the process would take only a…

The Karen National Union in Southern Burma says a coal extraction operation near Karen villages in eastern Tavoy is not welcome. Villagers are concerned it could destroy most of their plantations. Saw Paul Naw, the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Ka Ser Doh Township official spoke to Karen News. “In September, 2012, a Thai company, East Star, paid compensation for the…

The Karen National Union claim move by the Burma Army to force Karen villagers to attend militia training will damage trust between the two sides during ongoing ‘peacetalks’. The KNU alleges that the Burma Army has ordered Karen villagers in Southern Burma to attend military training and then intends to supply them with weapons. According to a KNU’s Mergui-Tavoy District…

The spokesperson of an Italian non-government organization, Popolis, which has been working in Karen State since 2001, said it would only operate in areas under the control of the Karen National Union. In a statement to Karen News, Popili’s spokesperson (who requested that their name not be used) said. “We have been worried about what has been happening in Karen…

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Burma’s military backed government and the Karen National Union (KNU) in January of this year, community based human rights organisation, Karen Human Rights Group continues to document attacks on civilians. On June 25th, two men from Pa’an Township were accosted and then tortured by members of the Burma Army’s Border Guard Battalion #1014. The interrogation…

An independent human rights organisation has reported that the ceasefire between the government and the Karen national union has brought respite for villagers caught in the 60-year conflict. In the ten months since a preliminary ceasefire agreement was reached between representatives of the Government of Burma and the Karen National Union (KNU), local communities have seen a marked decrease in…

The Karen National Union’s (KNU) next four-year Congress and elections will be held on 26 November. The KNU Congress is also the political organization’s decision-making mechanism. This Congress promises lots of drama – ceasefire agreements and ‘peace-talks’ with the government, divisions within the leadership and a call for power sharing with younger and more accomplished KNU members. After elections are…

Villagers in Myawaddy Township, Dooplaya District, Karen State, have mixed feelings about road building taking place in their area. Villagers say responsible development that brings benefits to all the people is welcome, but they worry that there is a lack of consultation or planning being done. Htee Mu Hta village is not unlike other communities in Karen State at rice…