May 6 , 2008
Over 4000 Killed by Cyclone, Thousands Missing
A category four Cyclone Nargis had entered Burma on 3/5/08 and devastated particularly of Rangoon Division and Irrawaddy Delta areas with winds of hundred and ninety kilometers per hour. Thousands of thousands of home destroyed and many lives lost. At the time of this
briefer updated nearly 4,000 people lost their lives in the storm while nearly 3,000 missing. Many people in Rangoon have no shelter, no clean drinking water and remained without power. It is estimated that around 90,000 have become homeless on one island alone. Older generation citizens had commented that they had never seen such powerful storm in their life time. Rangoon is former capital of Burma and home to around 6.5 million residents.

People of Burma had already suffered from souring rice prices and other commodity prices but the prices now doubled and in some areas it has tripled. Besides, Irrawaddy Division is the rice bowl of Burma and it had been hit hard. Cyclone Nargis had entered Irrawaddy Division right before the harvest time and people are likely to face shortages of rice severely.

On Monday (5/5/08), Rangoon residents had to wade through their way to buy water for which they had to line up. The United Nations Disaster experts said that it will take days to assess the full extent of the devastation. UN aid workers have offered to help relief efforts but the regime has turned it down.The military regime declared five states in the country as disaster zones after convening emergency meeting to deal with the devastation and military and the police have been carrying out rescue operation in some areas of Rangoon. Although devastation is gigantic the military regime had deployed very few police and soldiers to clear and clean up the streets in Rangoon and there were no emergencyequipment or assistance to move debris or assist people.

Many residents in Rangoon are furious for not receiving any help from the regime which was quick to send off soldiers, riot police and their thugs to brutally beat up and kill peaceful protesting monks and civilian protestors last September. There are reports that NASA had warned of Cyclone Nargis as early as Wednesday 30/4/08 but the military regime did nothing to warn the people of Burma.

The Cyclone Nargis also hit Insein Prison in Rangoon. On Saturday morning at around 8 am local time, the roof of the Insein prison building was ripped off by the cyclone and a fire broke out in Hall No 1. The prisoners inside the cells called for help for hours, but prison authorities failed to show up. Finally some young jail service men opened the doors to the cells. As prisoners ran around in the prison compound, army soldiersfired at least 30 gun shots at them from the top of the roof. At least thirty-sixprisoners were killed by the shots and 70 more injured. No political prisoners are among the
dead. All prisoners are in great need of health assistance, blankets and drinking water, and political prisoners have made demands for these needs but prison authorities denied their demands as well as aid delivery from family members who went to the prison today.

Despite this entire situation, the regime will go ahead with its scheduled referendum holding on 10th May and the state-run media even broadcasted that how eager the people of Burma are to cast their votes. It is likely that the regime will only postpone the referendum holding in natural disaster zones and will carry out in other areas as scheduled.

A number of Burmese organizations issued press releases and statements calling for the delivery of aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. These groups include Generation Wave from
inside Burma and exiled-based Forum for Democracy in Burma, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, National Council of the Union of Burma, and National
League for Democracy-Liberated Area. Oversea Burmese in Korea as well as in other countries are already coming together to help their fellow Burmese in the country. However, as reported already in the international media, the Burmese military regime still denies the outside assistance to help these Cyclone Nargis' victims.
- The Burma Partnership Secretariat

May 4 , 2008
Cyclone Nargis Slams Burma

Tropical Cyclone Nargis, packing winds of 190 kilometres an hour, has slammed into Rangoon ripping off roofs, felling trees and power lines, and raising fears of major casualties in military-ruled Burma's main city.

Three people are reported to have been killed in the early stages of the storm but there are no details of further casualties.

Internet, land, mobile and satellite phone connections are down and authorities have been forced to close the one airport serving the sprawling capital of Rangoon - home to 5 million people.

"A lot of roofs from well-constructed buildings have been blown off. That would lead you to believe that less well-constructed buildings will have taken a really big whack," Tony Craig said, regional emergency coordinator for the World Food Program (WFP).

Reports say the ruling military junta had declared states of emergency in five affected provinces, most of them in the low-lying floodplains of the Irrawaddy delta.

A spokesman for Britain's Department for International Development (DFID), which has an office with 10 staff, says the ministry had not been able to establish the extent of damage because of poor communications.

The spokesman says its 10 staff, both British and locals were safe.

The electricity supply in Rangoon, which is hit-and-miss at the best of times in one of Asia's poorest countries, failed after Cyclone Nargis started to lash the former capital on Friday evening (local time).

There were no immediate reports of deaths, but meteorological officials say the cyclone could trigger a storm surge of up to 3.5 metres in coastal areas.

Services cut

All flights to and from the city have been cancelled and the price of many basic foods including meat, vegetables and eggs has doubled overnight.

State-run MRTV and Rangoon City Radio are off the air and the streets virtually deserted, while buses and trains are unable to operate due to extensive flooding.

Destruction appears extensive and it could be several days before power, telecommunication and transport services are up and running, possibly affecting a referendum on an army-drafted constitution scheduled for May 10.

The constitution is part of a "road map" to democracy, meant to culminate in multiparty elections in 2010 and end nearly five decades of military rule.

Critics say it gives the army too much control.

Burmese weather officials say Cyclone Nargis is expected to keep moving north east from Rangoon and cross into northern Thailand in the next 24 hours.

A storm warning has been issued and heavy rain is expected to cover much of Thailand until Monday (local time).

- Reuters

February 7, 2008
Reports of Human Rights Abuses in Mergui-Tavoy District (Karen)

February 5, 2008
Karen Organizations Build Stronger Ties at Unity Seminar

From January 28th to February 1st, 31 Karen organizations from around the world gathered in Thay Bay Hta, Pa.an District, Karen State to seek ways to improve the plight of Karen people in this the 59th year of the revolution.

A wide range of issues were discussed - the most pertinent being refugee resettlement, IDP support and strategies to create political change in Burma. Most organizations presented their activities with the goal raise awareness amongst and build cooperation amongst Karen organizations.

Many were surprised to hear about the nature and scope of KTWG's activities inside Karen State. Even Karen groups along the border had no idea how many schools existed inside Karen Sate. The fact that there are alomost double the amount of students and teachers in Karen State schools compared to the refugee camps was a schock to many of the participants.

In the spirit of the Unity Seminar, some Karen groups such as KSNG who are supporting a few schools inside Karen State, stated that in the future they would provide such assistance through the Karen State Education Assistance Group (a network of supporters of Karen State schools) so to ensure that all schools receive equal levels of support and that support is porvided in systematic way that helps build the overall Karen education system. This type of cooperation is exactly the type of result that KTWG hoped of the Unity Seminar.

September 5 , 2007
Kaw Lah Films Completes Resettlement Film

Kaw Lah Films, a Karen film group, has recently completed its 4th film 'Which Way Home?'. The film examines the expectations and realities of refugee resettlement amongst the Karen community. The filmmakers followed Ti Pah Eh (see photo) from Mae La camp to Melbourne, Australia. Having arrived in Australia, the filmmakers meet with a variety of members of the Karen community there - young, old, men, women, new arrivals and even 3rd generation Karen. The film demonstrates that although the Australian government and refugee agencies are able to meet many of the living of refugees, it is in fact marginalization, loneliness and loss of culture which have the greatest impact on the Karen community. The film offers balanced positions with the aim to ensure that Karen refugees are able to make informed choices for themselves of whether to resettle or not.

Since the film was completed on August 10th, it has been screened to approximately 14,000 people - mostly refugees in Mae Ra Moe, Mae La Oon, Mae La, Umpiem Mai and Nu Poh. VCD and DVD copies are not yet available but should be by the end of September. For further information, contact kawlahfilms@hotmail.com .

September 4 , 2007
Wrist Tying Ceremony in Mae La Camp - Aug 26-28

The Auspicious Karen Wrist Tying Ceremony was held in Mae La camp between August 26-28 this year. Thousands participated in the festivities.

It also gave a chance for the youth who have been learning traditional music (and how to build the instruments!), singing, dancing and weaving to demonstrate their talents. KTWG, KESAN and IKAP have been working with and supporting the Mae La Culture Group which is headed by Pu Sein Tin whose goal is to ensure that Karen traditional knowledge is passed down to the younger generation. See pictures and read more.

June 21, 2007
Karen Representatives meet with Laura Bush

Representatives of different ethnic nationalities from across Burma met with US government leaders at the Whitehouse on June 12th, 2007. Naw K'nyaw Paw(Karen Women's Organization) and Saw Stephen Dunn (both seen in the photo) met briefly with First Lady Laura Bush and requested increase support for internally displaced people in Karen State. Naw K'nyaw Paw reported that Mrs. Bush responded positively to this request.

June 3, 2007 - Taungoo District
Burma Army rapes and murders woman, kills deaf man, captures and kills two others

In Toungoo District the Burma Army continues to conduct frequent attacks and patrols designed to terrorize the population, making it impossible for villagers to stay in their homes and work in their fields. These attacks are sustained with the use of widespread forced civilian labor and extortion.

On 12 May, 2007 Burma Army soldiers from LIB 542 and 544 attacked the Ber Ka Lay Ko village area of northern Toungoo District, northwestern Karen State, Eastern Burma. It was reported that during the attack they captured a woman from Ber Ka Lay Ko village. They then raped and murdered her. A relief team is now investigating this report.

On 15 May, Burma Army LIB 542 attacked villagers working in their farms. Many villagers were able to flee because they could hear the Burma Army troops making noise as they approached, however one man, Saw Hsar Mee, 55, was deaf and was unable to hear the attacking troops. The Burma Army then shot and killed him in his field house.

They also captured Saw Kwa Kwa, 20, who was in his field planting rice. Villagers nearby fled when they heard the Burma Army troops were in the area. KNLA soldiers responded to this attack, trying to protect villagers as they fled and give them time to collect belongings. After fighting took place between the Burma Army and KNLA, the Burma Army executed Saw Kwa Kwa. Saw Kwa Kwa was from Glay Kee village.

The Burma Army also shot and killed Saw Mu Der, 36, on the same day. Details about his death are not yet known.
During the attack on the 12th the Burma Army also captured six men; Saw Tha Wa, 34, Saw Bu Doh, 40, Saw Maw Ku, 60, Saw Hsa Ma, 55, Saw Mee Maw, 34, and Saw Ah Day, 28.
These troops also attacked Maw Tu Der village, capturing two men; Saw Hay Blu and Saw Tay Maw, 37. One day earlier the Burma Army had captured three villagers from Wah Soe village; Saw L'Mo, 44, Saw Blu Kwe, 57, and Saw Nyat Gay Htoo, 42. Three people from Oo Per village were also captured; Saw Has Nyee, 29, Saw Ku Nu, 40, and Saw Tha Kywa, 48. LIB 542 is under the command of Hla Tun.
News from FBR

June 2 , 2007 - Kler Lwee Htoo District
Hundreds Flee Recent Attacks

In Kler Lwee Htoo district, the Burma Army is attacking villages, and engaging in widespread forced labor, extortion and severely restricting villager movement.

Villagers are now subject to daily forced labor and extortion in the Burma Army's attempt to consolidate and strengthen its control over villages in areas it occupies as well as launch new attacks against the thousands of civilians who continue to evade its control. Approximately 4,500 villagers remain in hiding in the mountains of Mon Township. The Burma Army is using civilian forced labor to build new camps and roads and to re-supply existing camps.

On 30 April 2007, troops from Burma Army LIBs 212 and 220 attacked Tah Ho Aw village in Kyauk Kyi Township, KLer Lwee Htoo District, destroying the village as well as property that had been hidden in the jungle surrounding the village. The strength of the attacking troops was approximately 60 men, or two companies. Battalions 212 and 220 are under Light Infantry Division 11 and this column was under the command of Captain Than Htwe.

On 3 May, these same troops attacked the village of Ler Wah, also destroying all of the property they found in the village.

On 28 April, the Burma Army attacked the village of Yaw Kee (lat/long. N 18 42 33 E 096 54 40), in northern Mon Township. Troops burned down and destroyed farm huts surrounding the village. More than 150 people fled into hiding in fear of further attacks. One woman who fled was lost for two days in the jungle. Villagers have been unable to farm because of continued patrols and periodic shelling of areas the Burma Army suspects villagers may be hiding.

Houses and rice barns destroyed by the Burma Army

These small scale attacks have been launched throughout 2007 from new camps built during the Burma Army's offensive in 2006. The Burma Army continues to heavily supply all forward camps using civilian labor, civilian vehicles and horses or mules. There are now more than 4,000 people hiding from these attacks in Mon Township.
News from FBR

June 2, 2007- Kler Lwee Htoo District
Over 1,000 Forced to Clear Road

Forced labor in areas under SPDC military control is widespread. On 7 May, approximately 1,000 villagers from more than six villages were forced to clear a new road between the Burma Army camp at Toe Daw and the camp at Yin O Sein. 164 villagers from Myaung Oo, Aung Chan Tha and Paw Pi Der villages were forced to clear the road and hundreds more from the villages of Myaw Oo, Mee Te Taw, Tee To Lo, and Kyauk Tan. The combined population of the area of these villages is about 10,000 people. One villager from Ta Kaw Pwa village tract described how this new road was built right across villagers' rice fields, destroying about 500 acres of crops. The villages of Myaung Oo, Aung Chan Tha and Paw Pi Der must pay 30,000 Kyat to LIB 590 every month. LIB 599 and LIB 590 are currently posted at these two camps and are overseeing the construction of this road.

Villagers are also being forced to cut wood and bamboo for use in Burma Army camps. Villagers have been forced to provide the Burma Army with food to feed Burma Army livestock, as well as build pig pens and chicken coops, and maintain gardens that will feed the Burma Army troops. The Burma Army has also been forcing villagers to purchase livestock from them, charging 1,800 Kyat for a chicken, when the regular price in the area is 800 Kyat. News from FBR

June 1 , 2007 - Mutraw District
Burma Army Kills Woman and Attacks Village

In Mutraw District, the Burma Army continues to attack villages and IDP populations, now focusing on an area where they are constructing a new road. If completed, this road will effectively quarter northern Karen State, enhancing the Burma Army's ability to attack villagers, and making travel extremely difficult for both civilians and those trying to provide humanitarian relief. More than 4,000 people remain in hiding after the Burma Army attacked the Kay Pu area in late April. Hundreds more have joined them as a result of recent attacks.

On 17 May, Burma Army troops killed Naw Bu Ru, 27, who was in her field cutting weeds and grass in the Pana Eh Per Ko area of Papun District. Burma Army troops then burned Naw Bu Ru's body in her field house along with seven other field houses. The Burma Army unit which conducted this attack is not yet known.

Also on 17 May, the two Burma Army battalions entered the Htee Mu Kee area. One column attacked and entered the village, while the other column remained on top of a nearby hill, mortaring villagers as they fled. No injuries were reported.

On 7 May at 11:30 Burma Army soldiers based out of Wah Klei Tu camp in northern Papun District attacked Day Bu Plaw village in the Yu Gaw Kee area. They burned down four houses in the village. News from FBR