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Karen Armed Forces Statement on Reunification (ကရင္အမ်ဳိးသား လက္နက္ကိုင္ ေတာ္လွန္ေရး တပ္ဖြဲ႔ မ်ား ျပန္လည္ေပါင္းစည္းျခင္း သေဘာတူညီခ်က္)

Posted by: Ka Shee Posted date: 10:05 PM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , ,



1. In accordance with the wishes of the Karen people, we, the forces of KNLA, KNDO, DKBA and KNU/KNLA-PC have unanimously reunified as the (Kawthoolei Armed Forces – KAF).

2. The Burma military (Tatmadaw) troops have been intimidating, disarming and attacking, on flimsy excuses, the ethnic armed organizations, which have signed ceasefire agreement with the government, and arresting the personnel of the ethnic armed organizations and the innocent civilians, on a wide scale.

3. Though the peace process has been going on for over three years, instead of achieving the expected progress, we plainly see that the Burma Army has been doing trustwrecking activities.

4. In addition to intensifying military offensives in the Kachin and Shan States, the Burma Army has started military attacks in the Mon and Karen States.

5. Increasing military activities by the Burma Army like this, have caused much concern to us for the nationwide ceasefire negotiation and peace building process.

6. For that reason, in order to be able to protect the long suffering people, we have to reunify the Karen national armed resistance forces.

7. The Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF) is an army for the protection of the Karen nationals and the entire people, and it will carry on the struggle in cooperation with the alliance of ethnic armed organizations, until the establishment of a democratic federal system, in which there is full self-determination for the Karen people to manage their own destiny.

8. The Four Principles of Karen national leader Saw Ba U Gyi’s will be firmly adhered to and practiced.

9. We, the KAF, declare by this statement that we will carry on the struggle in cooperation with forces at home and abroad, until the emergence of lasting peace and a democratic federal union, and the achievement of victory.
For further information – Contact: (+66) 9 0147 9893

Joint Statement of Karen Women’s Groups in Support of the Reunification of the Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF)

Posted by: Ka Shee Posted date: 10:02 PM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , ,

The Karen Women’s Organization (KWO), Karen Women’s Empowerment Group (KWEG) and Karen Women’s Union (KWU) welcome the announcement, on October 13th, 2014, of the Karen armed resistance groups coming together under the name of “Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF)”. The alliance of 4 Karen armed forces meets the long held desire of Karen people everywhere, especially of Karen women. We believe this is an opportunity for both peace building, and improved co-operation which can help reduce violence against women.

“The KAF was originally formed on July 5, 1949. At that time the KAF combined different Karen armed groups but over the years the alliance has split up. We are pleased to see that the Karen armed groups have reunified under the KAF and hope it will increase cooperation and understanding. We believe this unity will help to bring the genuine peace we all seek.” said Nan Dah Eh Kler, KWO Chairperson.

Our community has been hoping for the reunification of different Karen armed groups for a long time. “We, the Karen people are not afraid of unity among the armed groups. Rather, we are afraid of splits and disunity which have a serious impact on the daily lives of local people. I am both encouraged by and fully support the unification of Karen organizations by the forming of KAF. This is right time to show our unity.” said Naw Ohn Hla from the Karen Women’s Union (KWU).

The 4 Karen armed forces who are now members of the KAF are the KNLA, KNDO, DKBA, and KNU/KNLA-PC.
Karen Women’s Groups support the reunification of the KAF and we would like to see further action taken by the newly unified KAF. We wish to recommend:
  • that the KAF, as a group, works to seek political solutions through dialogue and the support of the KNU and political bodies of other armed groups, while negotiating for peace with the Government of Burma.
  • that the KAF develop and enforce a military code of conduct for its members to abide by, with the aim of containing the escalation of confrontations with the Tatmadaw.
  • that the KAF avoid any practices which infringe on the human rights of civilians and work actively to respect, protect and promote human rights, rule of law and civilian security.
  • that the members and officers of KAF refrain from personal involvement in corrupt business activities and abuse of power.
  • that all members of KAF sign, as the KNU has done already, the two Geneva Call Deeds of Commitment, on the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict and the Prohibition of Sexual Violence.
“I never believe there is danger in unity. It is the lack of unity which can destroy our chances for sustainable peace in our country. This unification can help lead to more unity throughout the Karen community.” Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Director, Karen Women’s Empowerment Group (KWEG).

KWO is a community based organization formed in 1985 with the aim of empowerment of Karen women to be free from oppression, achieving equal status with men and to support the wellbeing of women and children. KWO has more than 45,000 members, including Karen women from refugee camps in Thailand and Karen State. We conduct a wide range of leadership development, advocacy, and provide services to women and children on both sides of the border.

KWEG was formed in March 8, 2003 with the purpose of bringing a brighter future to women and children. KWEG engages with facilitating training to build women’s capacity, a micro-finance program for families, women’s protection and empowerment programs and educational support of poor children and emergency assistance victims of disaster. Moreover, KWEG does advocacy for women rights, protection, and women’s participation in peace building.

KWU was formed in April 2014 with the purpose of supporting and shaping democracy and human rights in Burma. KWU works to promote Karen culture, literature and to encourage peace building and reconciliation in the country.

Media Contact: Naw Siyo Paw: +66 892679617 Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe: +95 9250795258 Naw Ohn Hla: +95 9425308194

Central Standing Committee after 15th KNU Congress Third Emergency Meeting Statement

Posted by: Ka Shee Posted date: 9:59 PM / comment : 0 , , , , , , ,

1. Karen National Union (KNU) Central Standing Committee (CSC) third emergency meeting was held successfully from October 23 to 29. The emergency meeting was attended by 47 out of 50 CSC members.

2. The CSC emergency meeting reviewed and discussed, openly and constructively, on the current political situation of Burma, the situation of own organization, work relating to alliances, nationwide ceasefire matter and the negotiation processes.

3. In accordance with the KNU Congress resolution, in order to discuss the political problems politicallyin the peace process currently being implemented, and to commence inclusive political dialogue from nationwide ceasefire,the KNU will cooperate with the ethnic armed organizations, political parties and political forces.

4. In accordance with the plan laid down by the 15th Congress for reuniting the armed organizations, which had split from the KNU, the Committee for Reunification of Karen Armed Organizations, formed by the Central Committee, will continue to realize the reunification.

5. Reunification of the Karen armed organizations under the political leadership of the KNU, or the formation of Kawthoolei Armed Forces (KAF) is accepted, in principle, and the coming KNU Congress will decide so thatthe realization of it shall be undertaken in accordance with the Constitution, political and work programs of the KNU.

6. Regarding the question of rejoining the UNFC, the KNU CSC members discussed and deliberated on seriously, and the temporary suspension of membership will be sustained. During the period of temporary suspension, consultation with the UNFC will be continued and for the realization of the political goals of the ethnic nationalities, the KNU will cooperate, as necessary, with the ethnic armed organizations, individually or in group.

Contact Points: P’doh Mahn Mahn – Joint Secretary (2) – KNU SHQ – (+66)87-9438750 P’doh Saw Thamain Tun – CEC member – KNU SHQ – (+66)86-211 2745

http://www.burmapartnership.org

Statement by Kawthoolei Armed Forces on signing NCA

Posted by: Ka Shee Posted date: 9:56 PM / comment : 0 , , , , ,

THE QUESTION IS: ‘WHO IS THE OUTLAW AND REAL REBEL?’
  1. Our First Karen President in history never signed to be a part of Burma, or a part of a Union to gain the Independence of Burma from the British. (Neither did the Arakan, Mon or Karenni). We were following the procedure of the British government before the handing over of Independence to Burma, to grant those, who did not sign to be a part of Burma, their own autonomous country.
  2. Our Karen leaders have never bowed to be under the rule of Military Dictatorship. History shows over 400,000 Karen civilians peacefully demonstrated in Rangoon, during the term of Prime Minister U Nu, however his response was a challenge: “You will have to fight for it”.
  3. We Karen public, by requesting with peaceful demonstration to have justice, equality and autonomy were we to join the union, does not entail that we are rebels or causing disruption or instability in the
  4. Defending the freedom of our people and the sovereignty of our land from Burmese Military invaders (Myanmar) doesn’t make us rebels or terrorists. It was the Burma Army under U Nu who initiated the first military offensive against the Karen. This resulted in our Karen having no choice other than to take up arms to defend and protect the freedom of our people and the sovereignty of our Karen
  5. Karen already had their own military officially formed under the British rule and was active as allies with the British during the 2nd World War fighting against the Japanese Invasion to protect the whole of Burma and our own Karen. The Karen Army was formed legitimately under the British rule, even before Burma became independent. We are not a rebel army as the Burmese Regime have accused
  6. The ones who are terrorising the Karen and Ethnic States and their peoples, causing disturbance of peaceful living, for nearly 70 years, is the Burmese Regime and their
  1. They call us ‘outlaws’ and ‘rebels’ all because we never signed to be under their Nor have we ever been in agreement with the present Regime’s unjust laws under their 2008 military constitution.
  2. The real outlaw is the Regime itself, who live above the law both internal and external, who have a record of committing war crime activities and Human Rights abuses against all who stand up for justice. They also bribe International Countries with natural resources to get their approval or ‘blind eye’ on what the Regime is doing within the country even to this
  3. The true Rebel is the Regime that cunningly twists and turns their so-called laws to prolong their power grip and to expand their military might to overrun all the Ethnic States and
We are living in the day where “Right is Wrong, and Might is Right”.
It is sad to see the International Community’s ignorance in their support of the Burmese Regime as a ‘legitimate government’ despite the outcry of all citizens in Burma in their struggle for Democracy and true Peace for the Ethnics. Every ‘Reform Program’ under the Burmese 2008 Military Constitution is a sham, including the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement of October 15, 2015. It is shameful to see all the Foreign Diplomats showing testimony of support to the Regime in front of all the people in Burma.

The evidence we see by the International Community’s support to this Regime, reveals to us that no foreign country has any concern or show of sympathy and sincerity for the will of all the citizens in Burma for Democracy, who are struggling against the violence and shackling of a notorious criminal Regime. Instead they are making the majority of Burmese citizens slave-laborers to their big Corporations and Companies who collaborate with the Myanmar Trade Union which is an instrument of the Military Regime – all due to either their personal interests, interests of their own nation’s economy, or regional interests with the bribes of natural resources from the Regime.

These natural resources belong to the citizens of Burma and the Ethnics. This will not only bring a future political mess in Burma and block the hope of the existence of true Democracy, but will also prolong the long-suffering of all the citizens of Burma.
The standoff is between a handful of Regime Authoritarians and their Military against the will of 58 million people who want Freedom and Democracy in Burma.

All people in Burma are sick and tired of this ‘magic’ word so-called ‘Reform’ that the Burmese Regime and International Community have been promoting for 5 years with no foreseeable result of improvement for the benefit of the people. It is only enabling the Regime to strengthen their military power.

The Obama Administration and other countries of the International Community know full well that Democracy is never birthed from Dictatorship. It is birthed from the will of the people.

Ever since the overwhelming majority vote of the people in the 1990 Election, the will of the people of Burma has been and still remains Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD Party and the 88 Generation Leaders in their stand for Democracy.

Seeing the various leaders and representatives of the International Community paying visits to Lady Aung San Suu Kyi’s home to hug, kissing her cheek, and shake hands with her as their ‘show of support for Democracy’ with hidden agendas of their self-interests, is not what the people of Burma want to see. She, and the citizens, deserve more than that. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD Party should be given the respect of full legitimacy of government, not this Regime. May not all the lives of the Generation 88 student leaders that were laid down for the sake of Democracy be in vain, who pioneered and inspired the country towards Democracy.

If the International Community continues to collaborate with Thein Sein and his Military to carry on the never-ending ‘Reform’ process after 2015, and the Regime’s continuation of war crimes and atrocities towards the Ethnic States and Ethnic peoples, then their actions are not only a continuance of hindering true Democracy in Burma, it is a violation of the International Community’s own moral standard of Human Rights.

http://www.burmapartnership.org

Kawthoolei Armed Forces Disagrees about the NCA Signing

Posted by: Ka Shee Posted date: 9:50 PM / comment : 0 , , , , ,

KAF disagrees with the 3 Karen groups, KNU, DKBA, and KNU/KNLA PC as representing ALL Karen when signing the NCA with the Burmese with their intent to destroy historical evidence of our freedom. Also, misleading and creating confusion among all the Ethnics against their wishes of their own freedom, for the following reasons:
  1. It betrays the Principles and wishes of our Karen Forefathers. They were careful not to sign to be a part of Burma in the first place, even the Panglong Agreement, due to the lack of assurance of the freedom of all Karen. They left a heritage for our Karen people as a free people even to this day.

  2. It is against the will of our Karen people to see the Burmese military invasion of their livelihood and the ownership of their land and their future.

  3. Many of our Karen martyrs and soldiers did not die or lay down their lives for the sake of a small number of people to sell off our Karen rights with self-interests and their demands for political status. They laid/lay down their lives for the freedom and self-determination of our Karen people.

  4. By entering the Burmese political mess that leads to the laying down of our arms, we strongly do not believe it will bring a great future for our Karen.

  5. The current Burmese rulers are Army Generals and are self-appointed and not cleanly elected by the people based on true Democracy.

  6. These self-appointed Karen organizational leaders have no right to represent ALL Karen in a political status without the legitimacy of a proper election by the Karen public as a whole.

  7. We believe Burmese interests and Ethnics interests clearly and distinctly differ. What the Ethnics want is freedom and self-determination. What the Burmese Generals want is to extend their military might, to overrun us and to suck us into their political mess, to confuse and distract us from our goal for National Interests. Ethnic Issues has nothing to do with Burmese politics. It is about our National freedom.

  8. We do not believe the Regime’s program of a Nationwide Ceasefire will lead to genuine Peace.

  9. True Peace is based on mutual respect with honesty and integrity, without surrender, that leads to the recognition of equality and respect of the rights of all Ethnic identities within their own motherlands.

  10. We do not believe that Myanmar should dominate the whole entire nation using all kinds of manipulations. But, we believe in a true Federal Union based on individual Ethnic autonomous States.

  11. It is for this reason, that Thein Sein’s Regime and their military, who are full of their self-power agenda, are not capable of creating true peace within the Union with all the Ethnics. Neither, do the KNU, or these two other Karen organisations, are also blinded of our historical stand to overcome the Regime to fulfill the interest of ALL Karen.
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