Armed conflict in Karen State - negotiations and ceasefire talks

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Sub-title: Critics say military role in road-widening project in Karen territory violates ceasefire, as UN warns of dangers.
Description: "On the Thai-Myanmar border – Military control of a road-widening project through ethnic Karen territory in Myanmar's southeast is in breach of the country's ceasefire agreement, contributing to renewed fighting and possibly implicating government institutions, Al Jazeera has learned. The widening of the unpaved road to nearly 10.5 metres from 3.7 metres runs for nearly 40km through territory controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), one of 10 ethnic armed groups to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government and military - known as the Tatmadaw - since 2015. Ethnic Karen groups say that by leading the project, the military has been able to increase troops in KNU territory, move them without securing the KNU's permission and engage in land grabs. All of which is prohibited under the terms of the ceasefire. "That's why trust-building is ruined," Saw Tadoh Moo, general secretary of the KNU, said. "With these kinds of activities, how can we trust them?" The UN Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar has also found human rights violations in relation to infrastructure projects in territories where ethnic minorities have fought for decades for greater autonomy. In its final report released on Monday, the mission detailed allegations of "firing on and shelling villages, destroying property, injuring civilians and committing violent acts" by the military during road construction in Karen communities. After decades of civil war, the de-facto head of state Aung San Suu Kyi said in 2016 that Myanmar's peace process was a top priority for her National League for Democracy (NLD) government. Yet as accusations of ceasefire and rights violations mount, questions have been raised about the NLD administration's role in the road expansion in Bago Region's Kyaukkyi Township..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Al Jazeera"
2019-09-12
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Description: ''As Myanmar’s government invites a group of eight ethnic armed groups to yet another round of talks on March 21 to the capital Naypyitaw, the ethnically divided nation is more clearly headed towards more war than peace. The government refers to the invited groups, seven members of an alliance called the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) plus the Karenni National Progressive Party, as “non-signatories” because they have not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) The NCA, launched by Myanmar’s then president Thein Sein in October 2015 and now pursued by the elected government led by ex-opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, is a misnomer as it only includes a small number of the country’s many ethnic armed groups. Those eight non-signatory groups represent an estimated 80% of all armed rebels in the country, while the signatories, now up to ten groups, are mostly small entities which do not possess significant armed forces...''
Creator/author: Bertil Lintner
Source/publisher: Asia Times
2019-03-19
Date of entry/update: 2019-03-28
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: "This Interview with Saw A--- describes events and issues occurring in Bu Tho Township, Hpapun District, during January 2015, including improvements in education, villager opinions about the ceasefire, and land confiscation.... The Karen Education Department (KED) said they will raise each teachers? salaries from 4,500 baht (US $133.48) to 7,500 baht (US $222.47) per year starting in 2014 in B--- village... Saw A--- expressed his opinion on the ceasefire agreement between the Burma/Myanmar government and the Karen National Union (KNU), saying that he does not have faith in the current ceasefire... Tatmadaw Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #340 confiscated villagers? land in Hpapun area and put up a sign declaring it to be the battalion?s land. The villagers remain the legal landlords but the LIB is exercising de-facto control. The interviewee?s brother had submitted a complaint about this to the KNU Land Department several times in 2014 and, although he was told the land will be returned, there has been no observed progress towards land reclamation or compensation..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-08-11
Date of entry/update: 2015-09-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 307.84 KB
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Description: "This News Bulletin describes the ongoing militarisation of southeastern Burma/Myanmar by the Burma/Myanmar Tatmadaw and Border Guard Force (BGF) following the January 2012 ceasefire between the government of Burma/Myanmar and the Karen National Union (KNU). Villagers in mixed control areas throughout this region have raised concerns that the ceasefire will break down and fighting will begin again, after observing the activities of the Burma/Myanmar Tatmadaw army."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2015-02-17
Date of entry/update: 2015-02-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 372.02 KB
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Description: "This commentary considers Karen villagers? perspectives on impacts of the ceasefire between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Government of the Union of Myanmar. In light of their concerns, this commentary makes workable recommendations about what the most effective next steps could be for negotiating parties and for stakeholders in the ceasefire process. Building on KHRG?s previous analysis in Safeguarding human rights in a post-ceasefire in eastern Burma, published in January 2012, this commentary brings to light new evidence of villagers? perspectives. Documentation received since the ceasefire reveals some positive changes, but also raises concerns about ongoing human rights abuses in the post-conflict environment, as a result of ingrained abusive practices and a lack of accountability, particularly in areas where there has been an increase in business, development, natural resource extraction, accompanied by a continued military presence. KHRG believes that the perpetration of abuses is exacerbated, and villagers? options to respond effectively limited, both by the lack of opportunities for genuine local input and a dearth of information-sharing concerning new developments. Analysis for this commentary was prepared based on a collaborative workshop held between all staff members at KHRG?s administrative office, as well as field documentation and oral testimony received since January 2012 from villagers in all KHRG research areas, which incorporate all or parts of Kayin and Mon States, and Bago and Tanintharyi Regions..."
Source/publisher: Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
2012-11-07
Date of entry/update: 2012-11-07
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 66.24 KB
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Description: "Since the beginning of hostilities officially declared on the 31st January 1949, the Karen National Union has consistently attempted to find an accommodation with the successive governments of Burma. While initial discussions centred on the recognition of a free Karen state of ?Kawthoolei? and the need to retain arms. Later talks, primarily those that began in 2004, sought merely to protect the Karen populace from further abuses at the hands of the Burmese army, the tatmadaw, and preserve some form of role for the organisation. This paper examines the various peace processes that have taken place since the outbreak of conflict and provides insight regarding the many KNU peace talks that have been held since 1949."
Creator/author: Paul Keenan
Source/publisher: Burma Centre for Ethnic Studies (Working Paper No. 2)
2012-06-00
Date of entry/update: 2012-06-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 985.87 KB
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