Overseas Karen call for UN action as SPDC attacks continue

Ethnic Karen from around the world are calling for international action to stop attacks by Burma’s ruling military junta on Karen civilians. Karen communities from ten countries have issued an appeal for the United Nations Security Council to demand that Burma’s military regime immediately cease ongoing attack on civilians in eastern Burma. Over 2,000 Karen [...]

KNU calls for international cooperation in assisting Karen civilians

With the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Burma’s ruling military junta stepping up its attacks on civilians in Karen State and Karen refugees in Thailand facing an uncertain future, the Karen National Union (KNU) has called for international and local cooperation to assist civilians forced to flee their homes. In a statement by the [...]

DKBA reverses decision on border guard force

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has reversed its decision to accept a proposal by Burma’s ruling military junta to transform into a Border Guard Force under the command of the Burmese Army. The Irrawaddy quotes sources in the Three Pagodas Pass area on the Thai/Burma border as saying Burmese businessman have been told by [...]

Karen women taking on greater responsibilities and facing greater dangers

In rural areas of Karen State in eastern Burma, women are increasingly being elected as village chiefs in what is seen as shift in the traditionally male dominated society. According to a new report by the Karen Womens Organization (KWO), men are becoming reluctant to take on the role for fear for their lives. Consequently, [...]

KNU warns of junta’s sham elections

The Karen National Union is warning the international community cannot be taken in by promises of free and fair elections by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as Burma ruling military junta chooses to be known. In a statement released this week, the KNU calls upon the international community to pay attention to what [...]

DKBA’s patron stalling Border Guard plans

Plans by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) to transform itself into a Border Guard Force under the command of Burma’s ruling military junta have stalled because of opposition from a Buddhist Abbot who is seen as their spiritual leader reports The Irrawaddy. They quote unnamed DKBA sources as saying Ashin Sujana objects to the [...]

Landmine kills one in supposed safe zone

A man has died after treading on a landmine in an area that Thai authorities last week claimed was safe for Karen refugees to return to. According to a report by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), the explosion happened about 500 meters from the Ler Per Har camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He [...]

Thailand out to gag Karen refugees

After international pressure forced Thai authorities to scale back their plans to repatriate several thousand Karen refugees to Burma (see: Repatriation put on hold for now… sort of) they have been warning refugees against speaking to the media. The Irrawaddy reports Thai army personnel in plain clothes entered the camps on Saturday afternoon. They told [...]

Repatriation put on hold for now… sort of

Thailand appears to be scaling down its plans to send thousands of Karen refugees back to Burma into an area where they face possible forced labour and severe injury from unexploded landmines. According to the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), Thai authorities had planned to repatriate thirty households, starting early this morning. However, only three [...]

KNU asks Thailand to ensure refugees safety

The Karen National Union (KNU) is calling on the Thailand to suspend plans to push around 3,000 Karen refugees back across the border into Burma. In an open letter to the Thai Government, the KNU calls for the UN High Commission for Refugees to investigate the willingness of the refugees to return. It was revealed [...]

Karen Revolution Day marked with call for unity

Last Sunday was Karen Revolution Day, when the Karen remember the start of their armed resistance to successive Burmese military regimes. This year was the 61st anniversary. In a statement that was read out at celebrations on both sides of the border, Karen National Union (KNU) president Saw Tamla Baw called for unity and warned [...]

Karen refugees face mid-February deadline

Some 3,000 plus Karen refugees currently in temporary shelters a few hours north of Mae Sot reportedly have until February 15 to return across the border to Burma. According to The Irrawaddy, Thai authorities have told the refugees that repatriation will begin on February 5 and that all must have returned by the 15th. The [...]

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