For decades, Karen people have been fighting the Burmese government for their land and way of life. It has become the longest and most protracted civil war in human history.
Since June’s coup by Burmese military authorities, tens of thousands of Karen people have banded together and demonstrated against it. As a result, many have been dislocated and now reside in camps along the Thai/Burma border.
How Has the Government Responded?
For decades, the Karen people of Myanmar (formerly Burma) have lived in fear and isolation. They were targeted by Burmese military authorities, leading them to live as refugees in camps along the Thai/Burma border.
Karen people lack the freedom and dignity to be who they are as a nation, leading them into an armed struggle for their rights and self-determination. With longstanding oppression and lack of government support, there is little prospect for a brighter future for this marginalized community.
For decades, they have been caught in a vicious cycle of poverty and conflict. Without access to food, medical care or education, they remain at constant risk of being killed by either Burmese military personnel or their own villagers.
In the face of these horrific attacks, thousands of Karen people have united in protest against Burma’s military and its policies. The Karen National Union (KNU), the oldest ethnic armed group in Burma, has been a staunch opponent of violence.
In February last year, the KNU was one of the first groups to condemn the military takeover. They demanded an end to violence and release all political prisoners. Furthermore, they denounced government policies regarding child soldiers and detaining those under 18.
Recently, the KNU issued a statement condemning violence against its members in Burma and Thailand and calling for a “national ceasefire” between Karen and Burmese militaries. Additionally, they demanded “genuine federal democracy”, where all citizens can take part and hold power.
Due to this strong call for peace, the KNU is now engaged in conflict with the Myanmar military. Some of its members have been arrested during recent civil disobedience campaigns and face grave danger to their lives.
The KNU has pledged to continue its fight for self-determination and a genuine federal democratic system, even proposing the formation of an independent Karen state.
Karen people face a critical challenge, and as government we must show support for them in their fight for an equitable and humane society. Let us show that as one voice for all people in Myanmar, we stand up for their rights.
Since the start of this civil war, Karen people have suffered tremendously due to the Burmese government and military’s treatment of them. As a result, they were driven into an armed struggle for independence from Burma.
Many members of the KNU have been detained or murdered during crackdowns by Burmese security forces. Furthermore, their social media accounts were blocked by the government through its Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Has the Government Taken a Positive or Negative View of Protests Against Racist Karens?
When I think of the Karen, I envision a people who have struggled for centuries to find their place in an increasingly complex world. They have often been misunderstood and received support that doesn’t reflect their culture or systems but instead attempts to help them integrate into Western society.
Karen people have persevered despite countless obstacles, building up a sense of self-reliance. While they have rebuilt their villages and adopted modern technologies, there remains an ever-present military threat that threatens their way of life.
For decades, the Karen people have waged a fierce and bloody conflict against Myanmar’s military, known as Tatmadaw. Last year they managed to secure an elusive ceasefire agreement with government authorities; however, that wasn’t enough to stop attacks from being launched against them by soldiers from time to time.
On Saturday, a large crowd gathered in Mandalay, the capital of Karen state, to demonstrate against the junta and demand that leader Aung San Suu Kyi be released from house arrest. Two protesters had been killed by police the day before, leading to widespread anger and frustration.
In a nation that takes great pride in fostering democracy, the fact that these protests have drawn such an expansive and diverse crowd is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, it also serves to highlight an underlying issue.
Karen people, although a minority, have organized themselves into an effective political movement against their government. This is in stark contrast to 1988 when most people simply accepted military promises of elections in 1990 and “calmed down quickly.”
Taw Nee, the Foreign Affairs Department head for the KNU, notes that although they have had difficulty bringing all ethnic groups together, they have attempted and are continuing their efforts. Their goal is for all states within Myanmar to come together under one government despite their differences.
However, he cautions that change won’t come easily. He and other Karen leaders are working to prevent protests from turning into an open confrontation where civilians would be killed by security forces.
Taw Nee and other Karen leaders acknowledge the complexities of the situation, yet believe the best way to ensure their voices are heard is to continue fighting back against the junta and military. This will be a challenging battle, but one they believe in taking on together.
It is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed by the international community, particularly in places like Thailand where displaced Karens are living in refugee camps. We fervently hope that the world will continue to support these communities by providing them with all of the opportunities and resources they require to flourish in their new lives.
