Human Rights Situation Deteriorated as Fighting Intensified in Kachin State

Burma’s human rights situation in January 2013 remained poor, in large part, due to the intensified fighting in Kachin State. In January 2013, the Burmese military admitted that it had launched an aerial assault against the strongholds of the KIO/KIA.

According to a member organization of the ND-Burma, there are over 25,000 refugees being sheltered in close proximity to the aerial attacks. Reports of civilian causalities have also been received […]

Joint Statement of the Kachin Independence Organization and the Myanmar Peace Team

Union Minister U Aung Min and KIO representatives met on 4 February, 2013, beginning at 9:00AM in Shweli (Riuli), Yunnan, China, and concluding at 4:19PM […]

Statement from the Women’s Workshop on Peace-Building and Conflict Transformation

Forty-six women representatives from 31 ethnic women’s organizations from various regions and states of Myanmar held a workshop on peace-building and conflict transformation in Yangon during January 30 – February 1, 2013.

Participating representatives issued the following position statement on the final day of the workshop […]

U Thein Sein Government Violated the Laws Associated with KIA

On the 28 January, the government owned newspaper released the news that a civilian died and three motor cycles were destroyed from the bomb blast committed by the KIA. One of the civilians exposed that the news was fabricated with false evidence. Therefore, on January 31st, the government owned newspaper had to release an apology paper […]

Ongoing Conflict in Burma’s Kachin State

The United States is deeply concerned by ongoing violence in Burma’s Kachin State. Despite the Burmese government’s announcement that a ceasefire was to take effect on January 19, media and NGO reports indicate that the Burmese Army continues a military offensive in the vicinity of the Kachin Independence Army headquarters in Laiza […]

Hastily Introduced World Bank Projects Threaten to Undermine Peace Process in Burma

By Khin Ohmar

In late 2012 the World Bank announced its first lending to Burma (also known as Myanmar) in over 20 years. The $80 million grant, to be implemented by the Ministry of Border Affairs, is for community driven development (CDD) projects that are aiming to provide tangible benefits to communities, including those affected by decades of conflict in Burma. The concern among many grassroots activists, however, is that the areas to which this money will be funnelled are still in the earliest stages of the peace process, and that huge influxes of money will undermine efforts for sustainable peace.

On 22 January the Bank’s board will consider its second round of loans to Burma, through a $440 million development policy loan called the ‘Reengagement and reform support programme’. Its objectives are: “to support Myanmar’s critical reforms for strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving public financial management, and improving the investment climate” and to “facilitate the clearance of Myanmar’s arrears to IDA”. This money will flow through the ministry of finance […]

Statement of Kachin Independence Organization

It has been noted that the Myanmar Government’s Media Department issued a statement on 18th January 2013. In this statement they announced that Government troops would cease their offensive around the Laja Yang area at 6:00am, 19th January 2013 […]

CFOB Concerned with Kachin Conflicts in Northern Burma

Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is concerned with escalating conflicts in Kachin State of Burma, especially reports on civilian casualty and the use of heavy artilleries and air forces. We call on the Government of Canada and international community to help stop the conflicts by using its diplomatic channels and to help alleviate the sufferings of 100,00 refugees in the conflict zones by providing emergency humanitarian assistance […]

United Nationalities Federal Council Annual Meeting Statement

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) herewith issue a statement on resolution adopted by the following member and affiliate organizations in the annual meeting held from the 7th to 10th of January 2013 in a place on Thai-Burma border […]

Burma Activists Say Funding Initiatives Could Undermine Peace Process

Burma activists say international funds established to encourage peace in ethnic rebel areas risk undermining the process. Critics say the Norway and World Bank-led “peace funds” are prioritizing development instead of lasting political solutions. Norway’s ambassador refutes that notion and says their whole point is a lasting peace.

The aid plans were launched earlier this year by Norway, the World Bank, European Union, United Kingdom, United Nations and Australia […]