Kachin People Highlight Crisis and Call for an End to Conflict in Burma’s Kachin State

Kachin representatives exposed the dire situation in Kachin State ahead of tomorrow’s anniversary of one year of renewed fighting between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army. Members of Kachin civil society and exile media spoke about the 75,000 persons who have been displaced by the fighting and continue to face a humanitarian crisis with virtually no access to assistance from local or international organizations.

“In the last year of armed conflict, people have faced arbitrary arrest, torture, forced labor, rape and sexual abuse at the hands of the government’s armed forces who act with impunity. But officials deny that these violations happen. This is why we can say that there has been no real reforms in our country,” said Hkawng Seng Pan, Deputy Coordinator of the Kachin Women’s Association – Thailand (KWAT). KWAT released a report today documenting these violations, entitled “Ongoing Impunity: Continued Burma Army atrocities against the Kachin people.”

Naw La, spokesperson for the Kachin Development Network Group, spoke about the social and environmental impacts of dams, jade and gold mining and logging in Kachin State. “Militarization has increased in connection with all of these development projects, leading to more human rights violations. It is clear that the government has prioritized development and investment over the well being of the people. We need a political solution to ethnic conflict before development will benefit the people and truly improve their lives.”

“The KIO, from their defensive position, continues to demand genuine political dialogue. However, the government refuses to engage in political dialogue, only ceasefire. Several rounds of ceasefire negotiations have failed, while the people on the ground continue to suffer. It is time for peace and genuine political dialogue,” said Naw Din, Editor of the Kachin News Group.

Today’s press conference was organized as a part of actions being organized around the world by Kachin communities, civil society and supporters to call for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Kachin State. On Tuesday, around 40 Kachin people and their supporters staged a protest at the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok. They delivered a letter to President Thein Sein, which will be delivered as a part of the actions around the world.

For more information, please contact:

Moon Nay Li, Coordinator of KWAT: +66856251912 or [email protected]

Naw La, Kachin Development Network Group: +66816739320 or [email protected] 

Naw Din, Kachin News Group: +66894313200 or [email protected]

This post is in: Press Release