KNU

The Karen National Union, currently holding peace talks with the government, issued a statement supporting protesters opposed to the new National Education Bill, approved by the country’s parliament, but yet to be ratified by President U Thein Sein. The KNU said in its statement that the government’s use of force against ‘peaceful’ protesters is excessive. “The security forces are using…

A Karen Human Right Groups report released on March 2nd accuses the Burma Army of targeting villagers with artillery shells in Northern Karen State. KHRG allege the government’s military directed its artillery bombardment on villagers in Papun Township. The KHRG report said that Burma Army indiscriminately fired artillery shells towards where villagers in the Saw Muh Plaw village tract were…

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) wants the Karen National Union (KNU) to be part of its organization. In a speech delivered by Khu Oo Reh, General Secretary of the UNFC on 66th anniversary of Karen Revolution Day in Karen State he underlined the importance of the KNU role in the UNFC. “It is a time of reforming in Burma.…

Padoh Saw Thamein Tun, a member of the Karen National Union (KNU)’s Central Executive Committee said that the KNU would never go alone and sign a national wide ceasefire in Burma. The KNU said that it is only willing to sign the ceasefire together with the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT). Padoh Saw…

An Australia’s Member of Parliament Mr. Luke Simpkins attended the 66th anniversary of the Karen Revolution Day in Karen State on January 31st said he recognised the Karen people’s fight for justice. Mr Simpkins said ,“I support all the ethnic people including the Karen because they are fighting to bring a genuine justice to Burma.” Mr Simpkins said that he…

Australia’s Karen community gathered in Sydney on Saturday to mark the 66th year of armed struggle against successive military regimes in Burma. “The celebration today is to empower the Karen community of Australia and to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Burma,” Saw Lwin Oo, the National President of Australia’s Karen Organisation said, standing beside an Australian flag…

Karen people have started to make their annual pilgrimage to the Karen National Liberation Army 7th Brigade’s headquarter in Hpa-an district to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the beginning of its resistance against the former Burma military regime. The Karen Resistance Day falls on 31st January and is celebrated every year in Karen National Union controlled territory. This year, the…

A memorial service was held for General Bo Mya, the late chairman of the Karen National Union and head of its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army and for his oldest son, Saw Nay Kaw. General Bo Mya served the Karen struggle since the 1940’s until his death in 2006. The worship service was held on January 20 at…

A meeting between villagers, company officials and officials from both the Karen National Union and the government was held on Tuesday, January 6 to discuss and resolve problems of land destruction caused by coal mining in Southern Burma’s Tanitharyi Division. Coal mining carried out by May Flower company, Thai Asset Company and East Star Company in the area of Ban…

The Phan Foundation has officially announced its acceptance of nominees for the 7th annual Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award – the closing date is on January 31, 2015. The Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award is given annually to Karen community workers who work in health, education, social or cultural areas. According to the Foundation’s criteria, nominees should be…