Articles

Saw Lin Htet was arrested by Burma’s security forces on March 23, 2021 while travelling home from a community meeting with villagers. Saw Lin Htet, a Karen youth activist is based in Hpa-An and was involved in many community works in the area. Close friends said security forces arrested him when he was coming back from a meeting in Don…

By Phil Thornton Freelance journalist Ko Wei Min* describes thick black smoke mushrooming over his home in Hlaing Tha Yar and reflects back to Sunday, March 14, when the “soldiers came in 20 trucks armed with machine guns.” The smoke that hung over Hlaing Tha Yar like a war zone came from Chinese-owned factories torched by unknown arsonists and resident…

*By Phil Thornton Six of the many journalists detained since the beginning of Myanmar’s coup on February 1. Credit: Facebook Myanmar’s military has intensified its efforts to dismantle the country’s independent media and to block journalists’ ability to work. Media covering the country’s nationwide protests told IFJ, ‘legal’ restrictions, harassment, arrests and increased violence by the military is intended to…

The protest against Burma’s military coup was organized by local communities from Kawkareik Township. Bo Bo, a protest organizer, confirmed to Karen News 10 women including two teachers and a man were detained by police on Sunday 28th of February. “The two teachers were grabbed and loaded into a car by police. The police then made an announcement telling the…

*By Phil Thornton The Myanmar army, police and militia’s use of violence against peaceful protestors reached another level on Sunday, February 28. By 5pm, local media reported at least 19 confirmed killings and another 10 unconfirmed. IFJ spoke to journalists covering the nationwide protests. Toe Zaw Latt, a video journalist and production director with Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), is…

Security forces in Hpa-an, were reported using tear gas, water cannons and firing weapons to disburse protesters. Young protesters were physical abused when arrested. Images recorded by protesters show police bursting into rooms and dragging young women protestors out by their hair as they took them away. Khaing Phyo Maung, a teenager who was arrested on the day, but released…

The representatives are Saw True Black, general secretary of Kayin People Party (KPP), Saw Myat Htut Win, Vice Chairman (1) of the Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP) and Saw Kyi Lin, secretary of Plone-Swaw Democratic Party. The general secretary of KPP, Nant Khin Aye Oo said. “We decided to join the meeting after receiving 28 ballots in favour and 7…

Padoh Saw Hla Tun, KNU joint secretary said they have to be careful – armed soldiers taking part in peaceful protests could provide a justification for violent response from the military. “We have to be careful confronting arms with arms. Civilians could be targeted. We are involved in negotiations for people to be allowed to protest and to able to…

Like many Burma civilians across the country, Sa Aung Moe Hein joined the civil disobedience movement by banging pots and pans on the fourth day after the Burma military took power on the 1st of February. A friend of the accused, spoke to Karen News (on condition of anonymity), said police in Hlaing Bwe used the one-off event was against…

Journalists in Myanmar are scared. They have good reason to be. Coup leaders who took control of the country two weeks ago now have them firmly fixed in their sights. Official warnings have been sent to media outlets to caution that breaks of the amended Penal Code will come with harsh jail sentences. Emergency rule trumps reform Myanmar’s journalists didn’t…