Communities Across Shan State Vent Frustration at Ongoing Abuses During Peace Process

Communities attending recent public meetings across Shan State vented frustration at ongoing abuses despite the fact that the new peace process has been underway for over a year […]

Position Statement of KNU on Current Situation in the Country

The KNU reaffirms deeply its appreciation of effort by current Burma (Myanmar) government and its processes for securing ceasefire and peace with the armed ethnic organizations.

The violent suppression by Myanmar authorities of the ongoing people’s movement relating to Letpadaung Taung Copper Mining Project should never have happened […]

Responding to Karen Women Participation as Provided in UNSCR 1325

The first Karen Women Seminar was successfully held from 24th to 26th of November 2012. The meeting was attended by more than 40 Karen women who are working in a wide variety of fields including education, health, social work, emergency assistance, environment, human rights and women rights […]

Demonstrators Call on US President Obama to Support Peace in Myanmar

More than 20 people staged a demonstration at the University of Yangon as US President Barack Obama arrived to deliver his public speech today. They held up posters calling for Obama to help stop civil war and use his visit to raise the issue of peace.

“We welcome President Obama, but his visit cannot overshadow the need for peace, human rights and democracy in our country […]

Statement by the United Nationalities Alliance

We, the United Nationalities Alliance, observe Burma’s transition to democracy is not up to the standard yet. We believe that it is still early to lift all the sanctions imposed while in a transition period as hundreds of political prisoners still remain in jail.

We believe that only getting ceasefire agreements with armed groups does not guarantee lasting peace until and unless political problems are solved with political means […]

Ending 50 Years of Military Rule? Prospects for Peace, Democracy and Development in Burma

The thaw in the repressive climate of Burma was epitomised by by-elections held in April 2012 in which the opposition National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, scored a resounding victory. President Thein Sein’s government has also reached initial peace agreements with most armed groups. But the challenges faced by a reformed Burmese state remain vast, while serious doubts remain as to the real commitment of military and business leaders to a thoroughgoing process of democratisation and accountability […]

Analysis Paper on the Ceasefire Process Between the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Burmese Government in the Last Six Months

At the start of the current peace negotiation process between the KNPP and the Government of Burma the Karenni Civil Societies Network (KCSN) released a statement welcoming the talks, and is continuing to monitor closely the peace process between the two parties.

KCSN believes that only through negotiation between both parties to seek solutions to the problems in Karenni State, as agreed during the State Level and Union Level talks, can genuine and permanent peace be achieved […]

Karenni Civil Society Warns Myanmar Government to Stop Undermining Peace Process

A briefing paper by the Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN) issued today warns how the Myanmar government’s failure to adhere to ceasefire agreements with the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) is undermining the peace process.

The government has failed to keep various agreements signed with KNPP on March 7 and June 9 of this year, including informing KNPP of its troop movements through Karenni territory, which led to an outbreak of fighting in June […]

Asian and European Leaders Should Heed Calls for Caution in Myanmar and Place Human Rights and Peace at Center of ASEAN Agenda

Concerns over the viability of various peace initiatives and the hopes of securing long-term peace and stability in Myanmar should be placed high on the agenda of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Laos next month, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) said today.

The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit or ASEM 9 will be held on 5 – 6 November 2012 in Vientiane, Lao PDR under the theme: “Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity” […]

Burma Groups Release Concerns and Recommendations on Peace Funds

Burma’s ethnic community and civil society organizations released a position paper today welcoming peace fund initiatives but expressing concerns and recommendations to encourage the funds to support the country’s nascent peace process.

“There are many elements that successful peace funds must include, namely inclusive consultations, engagement with full organizations rather than individuals, equitable natural resource management and land rights, and addressing anxiety over the return of refugees and internally displaced persons,” described Paul Sein Twa […]