Message to UN’s Ki-Moon

‘Stop the killing’

Letter a desperate plea for action

Karen National Union

  Kwathoolei, Karen state

March 5, 2010

While we, the Karen National Union (KNU), welcome UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s expression of concern regarding new attacks on the Karen people, we do not believe that this alone is an adequate response to the current crisis. We would like to remind the Secretary General that these attacks have been taking place for more than 60 years, and that numerous requests and expressions of concern, and even resolutions from the United Nations General Assembly, and a Presidential Statement from the United Nations Security Council, have failed to halt these attacks and persuade the SPDC military dictatorship to enter into genuine dialogue >>> Message to UN’s Ki-Moon

Burma: Nuclear wannabe

Suspicious links to North Korea, high-tech procurements and enigmatic facilities

Institute for Science and International Security

  United Nations, New York

January 31, 2010

For several years, suspicions have swirled about the nuclear intentions of Burma’s secretive military dictatorship.

For several years, suspicions have swirled about the nuclear intentions of Burma’s secretive military dictatorship. Burma is cooperating with North Korea on possible nuclear procurements and appears to be misleading overseas suppliers in obtaining top-of-the-line equipment. Certain equipment, which could be used in a nuclear or missile program, went to isolated Burmese manufacturing compounds of unknown purpose. Although evidence does not exist to make a compelling case that Burma is building secret nuclear reactors or fuel cycle facilities, as has been reported, the information does warrant governments and companies taking extreme caution in any dealings with Burma. The military regime’s suspicious links to North Korea >>> Nuclear wannabe, suspicious links to North Korea and high-tech procurements to enigmatic facilities

The gathering storm

Infectious diseases and human rights in Burma

Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley

  Berkeley, California

December 12, 2009

Decades of repressive military rule, civil war, corruption, bad governance, isolation, and widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have rendered Burma’s1 health care system incapable of responding effectively to endemic and emerging infectious diseases.2 Burma’s major infectious diseases—malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis (TB)—are severe health problems in many areas of the country >>> The gathering storm

Poisoned flowers

The impacts of spiraling drug addiction on Palaung women in Burma

The Palaung Women’s Organisation

  Northern Shan State, Burma

January 31, 2010

Once renowed throughout Burma as prosperous tea farmers, the Palaung in northern Shan State are increasingly succumbing to high rates of drug addiction. The addiction is devasting Palaung communities, with particularly harsh consequences for women, for whom the addiction of husbands and sons compounds the existing burdens of severe gender discrimition >>> Poisoned flowers

Secret Genocide by publisher Maverick House.  >>> Read prologue.

Housing, land and property rights in Burma

Understanding the present, preparing for the future

Displacement Solutions & The HLP Institute

  Geneva, Switzerland

December 12, 2009

The deplorable human rights record of Burma’s military junta has been a key focus of
international attention for many years. The military has ruled the country for half a century, and has presided over a collapse of the economy and of social services.

At the same time, successive military regimes have perpetuated an almost feudal governance system – where the population is seen as a resource at the disposal of the rulers – that is in many respects unchanged since pre-colonial times.

A combination of deliberate abuse, a general climate of impunity, and out-dated and ineffective social policies all contribute to a fundamental absence of basic human rights in this country of 55 million people.

To date, the bulk of attention has focused on important questions of political prisoners, denial of basic freedoms, forced labour, forced displacement, as well as the other abuses related to the army’s brutal counter-insurgency policies.

However, there are additional types of rights abuses that are not as frequently mentioned, but that have a critical impact on the daily lives of millions of people across Burma. And it is these – housing, land and property (HLP) rights – that form the contents of this important new book. >>> Housing, land and property rights in Burma

Burma’s regime: Digging the tunnels

North Korea, other foreign advisers consult junta on extensive network of tunnels

Democratic Voice of Burma

  Norway, Oslo

December 05, 2009

Tunnels being built in Burma: Photo DVB

Burma’s junta is building an extenstive network of tunnels designed to support the military against attack and suppress any insurgency, the Democratic Voice of Burma has reported.

According to official documents obtained by DVB, Burma is aggressively bolstering its defence in the event of an invasion and is developing projects ranging from tunnel digging to possible nuclear proliferation. The documents reveal plans to construct covert ammunitions factories that will produce surface-to-air missiles controlled from underground command bases, and can accommodate heavy weaponry and battalions of troops during military operations. North Korea and other foreign advisers in Burma are consulting with officials on what now appears to be a the development of a network of some 800 underground tunnels across much of the country >>> Burma’s regime: Digging the tunnels

SPDC documents reveal fascist regime

Junta details how to assault ethnic minorities, decimate development of Christian church

www.danielpedersen.org

Daniel Pedersen

  Mae Sariang, Thailand

November 28, 2009

Leaked documents from Burma’s ruling military junta provide shocking insight of the inner workings of a fascist regime bent on eliminating diversity within its own people. The documents are detailed directives about how to assault ethnic minorities and decimate development of the Christian church in Burma. Two telling documents have been acquired by ethnic minority organisations, one detailing payment incentives for impregnating ethnic minority women so as to dilute their bloodlines, the other how best to purge Christianity from Burmese society. Both documents refer to the Burmese “master race” and relate a desperate desire to maintain Burman domination over myriad ethnic minorities who populate much of Burma’s landmass>>> Leaked SPDC documents reveal shocking insight of fascist regime

Documents all

Document English

Document Burmese

DKBA, KNU groups hold talks

Euro-Burma office election monitor

  Mae Sot, Thailand

October 27, 2009

Two major armed Karen groups who were engaged in fierce fighting earlier this year have held talks for the first time since 1994, according to sources close to the groups. In a recent communication sent by an influential monk, Sayadaw U Thuzana, to both the opposition Karen National Union (KNU) and the pro-junta Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), the Sayadaw urged both sides to learn lessons from the past and bring an end to the conflict in the region. The talks ended on the 16th October 2009 without an agreement due to differences on both sides. The DKBA was represented by Saw Maw Tho, Deputy Tactical Commander, Kalo-Htoo-Baw Region and Bo Ngwe Tin, while the KNU was led by General Mu-Tu Say-Phoe, Commandin-Chief of the Karen National Liberation Army, Brigadier-General Johnny, Commander, No.7 Battalion of the KNLA, Pado Aung Maw Aye, Chairman of KNU Paan District, Mann Nyein Maung, Secretary for DKBA Affairs KNU Headquarters >>> KNU, DKBA hold talks

Burma wages total war

MIZZIMA

Don Talenywun

  Mae Sot, Thailand

October 24, 2009

An injured KNLA soldier is tended by medics during the battle for Wah Lay Kee. PHOTO: www.danielpedersen.org

The State Peace and Development Council also has warships in a standoff with Bangladesh, the result of more than half a century’s of the neighbours’ failure to demarcate a common border.

Warships and Bangladesh braces for war

It also stands accused of trying to acquire nuclear arms technology from North Korea and Russia. In the most southeastern areas of Burma and stretching into the north abutting Karenni State, the junta is at war with the Karen – as it has been since 1949 >>> Burma wages total war

Ko Nyi Nyi Aung is banned family visit

aappb

  Mae Sot, Thailand

January 27, 2010

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Burmese American citizenship holder Ko Nyi Nyi Aung@ Kyaw Zaw Lwin has had a family visit banned by authorities. When his family went to see him on 18 January 2010, jailor Kyaw Min Tun said they were not allowed to see him at that time, but they would be able to see him on January 27, which is also the day that Ko Nyi Nyi Aung will have his sentence read out in the court. On January 25 an American Embassy official, who was informed by Burmese authorities, told the family that they will not be allowed to see Ko Nyi Nyi Aung on January 27. When Ko Nyi Nyi Aung’s family asked prison authorities about him, they were told that they won’t be allowed to visit him anymore — Political Prisoner Ma Ni Mo Hlaing in critical condition

 United States Campaign for Burma (USCB)

Burmese monks give junta ultimatum

The Sangha has given Burma's junta an ultimatum or face the probability of a repeat of the 2007 Saffron Revolution - Photo: PPDD

Another Saffron Revolution could erupt if demands not met

Peoples Partner for Democracy and Development

Anna Malindog

  Mae Sot, Thailand

September 30, 2009

A week from now, Burmese monks will again challenge the repressive regime in Burma and again demand from the Burmese military junta the following:

• A public apology for the atrocities the junta has committed against the monks
• The release of all monks now imprisoned

The Sangha has given the military regime an ultimatum: That by October 2, it must have delivered, granting these demands, or face the probability of a repeat of the 2007 Saffron Revolution protests on October 3. Should the junta fail to meet the demands the monks will once again march and dominate the streets of Burma. The lack of expectation on behalf of the monks has already led to preparations being made for the protests. The monks have little doubt the junta will deny the people of Burma peace, freedom and democracy for as long as it can. This is a battle of wills. The determination of the monks remains steadfast and they will act on behalf of Burma’s people >>> Burmese monks give junta ultimatum

Tensions on the rise inside refugee camps

Restrictions fueling frustration, anger and violence

MIZZIMA

Don Talenywun

  Umphang, Tak, Thailand

September 28, 2009

Trouble is brewing among the refugees of Burma’s war. Stranded in northern Thailand, fed on rations donated by international community, unable to travel freely and not allowed to work, the populations of the camps strung out along Burma’s border are ready to blow. Umpheim Mai refugee camp is on tenterhooks, with violence threatening to break out among residents at any time. A football game on Saturday afternoon descended into crowd violence at game’s end, with gangs of young men attacking each other. Some camp residents described it as a mini riot. The current trouble started earlier this month, with a murder of a Burmese resident when he allegedly failed to pay for a cow he had already taken possession of >>> Tensions on the rise inside refugee camps

Special KNLA squad attacks military construction camp

Demolition operation destroys D6 Caterpillar bulldozer, 20-tonne excavator

MIZZIMA

Don Talenywun

  Mae Sot, Thailand

September 29, 2009

A special KNLA squad, formed from Sixth Brigade’s 201 and 103 battalions, took construction machines out with two kilograms of TNT - Photo: Steve Sandford

The special KNLA squad, formed from Sixth Brigade’s 201 and 103 battalions, took the machines out with two kilograms of TNT. The depot is on the western side of the southern reaches of the Dawna Mountain Range, about five days’ walk from the Burmese border town of Myawaddy. KNLA forward scouts strapped the explosives beneath the engines and remotely detonated them at 1am on September 21. Soldiers of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, a militia allied with the Burma Army, gave chase after the explosions rocked their depot. The KNLA soldiers evaded their pursuers, from the DKBA’s 907 Battalion, for more than two hours, and then led them into a claymore booby trap, killing two and seriously wounding another two >>> KNLA ’special squad’ attacks military construction camp

Livelihood consequences of SPDC restrictions and patrols in Nyaunglebin

This photo shows the Gkyauk Ner Gha dam, located on the Shwegyin river in Shwegyin Township. Still under construction, the project has nonetheless displaced villagers who now face difficulties accessing their lands - Photo: KHRG

khrg

  Nyaunglebin District, Burma

September 27, 2009

This report presents information on abuses in Nyaunglebin District for the period of April to July 2009. Though Nyaunglebin saw a reduction in SPDC activities during the first six months of 2009, patrols resumed in July. Since then, IDP villagers attempting to evade SPDC control report that they have subsequently been unable to regularly access farm fields or gardens, exacerbating cycles of food shortages set in motion by the northern Karen State offensive which began in 2006. Other villagers, from the only nominally controlled villages in the Nyaunglebin’s eastern hills to SPDC-administered relocation sites in the west, meanwhile, report abuses including forced labour, conscription into government militia, travel restrictions and the torture of two village leaders for alleged contact with the KNLA >>> Livelihood consequences of SPDC restrictions and patrols in Nyaunglebin District

KHRG web site

A tenuous existence

Remnant population of KNU Seventh Brigade struggle on

MIZZIMA

Don Talenywun

  Mae Sot, Thailand

September 16, 2009

Despite their tough living conditions the children at the orphanage aren’t unhappy – they simply forge on.

Individual donors are starting to assist new refugees at Safe Haven Orphanage. About 200 people have gathered on the grounds of Safe Haven, many of whom are children. They fled Karen State, finally giving up their shaky hold on homes constantly in danger of attack, during an offensive by the Burma Army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. The DKBA and Burma Army troops seemed determined to displace the majority of people living in the Seventh Brigade region, suspecting them of supporting Karen National Liberation Army soldiers somehow. But much of the KNLA guerilla force left the area before the enemy arrived. They left landmines behind them however, and many of the DKBA dead and wounded, which both numbered in the hundreds according to the KNU, fell foul of these booby traps >>> A tenuous existence

Money is urgently needed to buy food and essential items for basic living.
This is an open appeal to anyone who can afford to help these people, victims of an ongoing campaign of genocide to force them from their home country.

The river of poor return

Promise of profit benefits the few over the needy

Don Talenywun

Mizzima

  Kokko, Northern Thailand

August 18, 2009

The Moei River flows between two little towns - one in Burma, the other Thailand – that could become a new international trucking frontier - Photo: River Networks

As the sun sets through the branches of a Kokko tree on the banks of the River Moei, one of the last commutes of the day – from Thailand to Burma – takes place. The pilot of a longboat points his vessel upstream, revs its diesel engine and in 10 minutes has sidled to the opposite bank. It’s a semi-official international border crossing, a sideways struggle against the current, where no-one on the Burmese side is waiting to check your papers. On the Thai side a lone soldier with an M-16 casts a disinterested glance at the locals as they pass under or around the boom gate on a road to nowhere. A few bulbs light the two Thai restaurants perched on stilts offering a view over the river to the small temple on the Burmese side. One of the cooks arrives, stops for a chat and shakes his head at the columns of smoke rising from houses on the other side as Burmese Karen stoke charcoal fires on which they will cook their dinners. Welcome to Kokko, a Thai hamlet of farms, farmers, itinerant workers and one of the “tax gates” that mark this region as an international trade frontier >>> The river of poor return

Misguided power

Junta bleeding Burma dry with electricity projects for neighbours

Mizzima

  Mae Sot, Thailand

August 14, 2009

Endangered: a people, a nation and a future - Photo: Steve Stanford

The dislocation of between 5,000 and 6,000 people from Burma to Thailand in the past two months has so far been reported as a military thrust against the Karen National Union by Burma’s Army. Coverage has largely focused on refugees, people fleeing forced conscription, forced labour, murder and rape. Video footage of militia armies torching people’s modest bamboo homes and the schools and churches the inhabitants relied upon for their sense of community are widely available on the internet >>> Misguided power

The casualties are many

Death, trade and tragedy dog a common people in uncommon circumstances

Don Talenywun

Mizzima

Mae Sot, Thailand

August 06, 2009

Sixty years on: Karen wonder when the world will pay attention - Photo: Dan Pedersen.

It was just another day for the surgeons at Mae Sot General Hospital, in Thailand’s north. Overnight, on July 18, a dozen Democratic Karen Buddhist Army soldiers have arrived, allies of Burma’s ruling military junta. They have all stepped on landmines across the Moei River on Saturday and on Sunday morning they were in Thai hospitals. By afternoon the amputations have begun, and doctors dressed in ankle-length rubber splash coats carried around power tools that resembled small chainsaws. Even the doctors have lost count of the mangled, discarded legs. In little more than two weeks, from June 2 to June 19, 98 DKBA soldiers were wounded and 38 killed. During the same period, just eight Karen National Liberation Army soldiers were wounded. Yet DKBA soldiers are still arriving at Mae Sot General Hospital and the private Porvor Hospital >>> The casualties are many

Pity the children

The misery of an unfortunate birthplace

Dan Pedersen

www.danielpedersen.org

  Mae Sot, Thailand

July 30, 2009

A child no-one seems able to immediately identify squats in the rain at Safe Haven Orphanage.

More than 200 people are living in pitiful conditions at the Safe Haven Orphanage on the Thai-Burma border. About three quarters of them are newly-arrived refugees forced across the border by a rapacious campaign of forced recruitment into the armed forces of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, allies of Burma’s ruling military junta. Most of them are children. They live under thin plastic sheeting suspended over festering mud puddles alive with mosquitoes and larvae. Until recently many of the children were suffering from malaria, but the Thai Public Health Ministry treated them. But that does not stop new infections. Water for the settlement is drawn from the Moei River, just below its confluence with the Salween River >>> Pity the children

Money is urgently needed to buy food and essential items for basic living.
This is an open appeal to anyone who can afford to help these people, victims of an ongoing campaign of genocide to force them from their home country.