Recommended

The Karen National Union’s vice-chairperson, Padoh Naw Zipporah Sein, concludes a three part exclusive interview with Karen News. Naw Zipporah Sein stressed that a nationwide ceasefire is not possible while there is still ongoing conflict and displacement in ethnic states. “How can we sign a nationwide ceasefire agreement while fighting is still going on in the Kachin and northern Shan…

In an exclusive three-part interview with Karen News, the Karen National Union’s vice-chairperson, Padoh Naw Zipporah Sein, voiced her concerns that the government is rushing to sign a nationwide ceasefire without regard for the on-the-ground realities of ongoing armed conflict in ethnic areas or of failing to complete its obligations agreed to in previous peace talk meetings. Naw Zipporah Sein…

Burma’s refusal to sign a declaration against sexual violence comes despite pressure from the British government. The declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict was launched by the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, at the United Nations in New York. On Tuesday 24th September…

The leaders of four different Karen political parties met over two days to discuss how to merge their organisations into one for Burma’s next general election in 2015. In an effort to merge the parties, leaders of the Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party, the Karen People’s Party, the Karen State Democracy and Development Party, and the Karen Democratic Party – all which…

Villagers angry with a Thai company for not paying them ‘promised compensation’ have stopped vehicles from delivering supplies to the $60 billion Dawei project in southern Burma. Villagers from Kaw Htee Lor (Thebyutchaung) east of Dawei, in Southern Burma blockaded the road to protest against the Italian-Thai Development Company (ITD) for refusing to pay compensation for properties damaged caused by…

In an exclusive interview with Karen News, General Baw Kyaw Heh, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and is its second highest commander explained his concerns about the current peace building process with the government and why he thinks the recent ceasefire focus is now on business and not on peace. Gen Baw Kyaw…

A Karen National Union (KNU) delegation led by its chairman General Mutu Say Poe met recently with Karen political parties in Hpa-an to discuss plans it has for amendments to Burma’s contentious 2008 Constitution. The KNU delegation met with the Phalon Sawaw Democratic Party (PSDP), the Karen People Party (KPP), Karen State Development Party (PSDP) and Karen Democratic Party (KDP)…

Burma’s government in a move to speed up trade and tourism between Thailand, announced yesterday, August 28, that it would allow foreigners holding its visa’s to travel into the country by any of the four entry points. The four border gates are between Myawaddy-Mae Sot, Tachileik-Mae Sai, Kawthaung-Ranong and Htee Khee-Sunaron. Speaking at the ceremony held to mark the opening…

Fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army and the government’s militia, the Border Guard Force (BGF) erupted in the Weigyi area of Papun Township, Karen State last week. Soldiers from KNLA Battalion 102 Company under the command of Lieutenant Saw Eh Ka Mwe fought with BGF troops led by Lieutenant AB Lwin from Battalion 1014. The KNLA had 20 soldiers…

Three tragic incidents involving women sent shock waves through the Tham Tin refugee camp in Thailand this week. The three separate incidents happened on August 13, when two Karen refugee women are alleged to have killed themselves, while a third woman survived an attempted suicide. The incidents happened at the Tham Hin refugee camp in Southern Thailand. The first tragedy…