Burma

Karen Splinter Group Calls for Closure of Refugee Camps

By WAI MOE Wednesday, March 18, 2009

COMMENTS (42)

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A splinter group of the Karen National Union (KNU), the KNU/ KNLA Peace Council, had called for the closure of Burmese refugee camps in Thailand and said that refugees should be sent back to Burma, according to a report obtained by The Irrawaddy.

“The war is over now and the international community should take this opportunity to support and help the return of the Karen people to live peacefully in their homeland,” said the KNU/ KNLA Peace Council in a report to UN Human Rights Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana who traveled to Karen State in February.

Umpiem Mai refugee camp. (Photo - Dan Caspersz)

The report also urged the UN and the Thai government to work with them as well as the Burmese military regime to secure the refugees’ return home.

The group claimed that the UN’s refugee program along the Thai-Burmese border was a “breeding ground of corruption,” which encouraged terrorist activities, the sex trade, human trafficking and the drug trade.

The report also pointed fingers at what it called “faux refugees” who only went to the refugee camps in order to apply to go to Western countries, and said that corrupt camp authorities were benefiting from the system.

The KNU/ KNLA Peace Council separated from the KNU in February 2007 and is led by former KNU commander Htay Maung, who is a relative of late KNU leader Gen Saw Bo Mya.

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(Graphic: TBBC)

The Karen splinter group also accused the KNU, the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) and Burmese exiled groups in Thailand, as well as local Thai authorities, of causing instability along the Thai-Burmese border.

The report by the group also slammed international Burmese language broadcasters and exiled Burmese media, specifically The Irrawaddy.

“BBC, VOA, RFA (in Burmese language), Irrawaddy magazine, and others who are illegally using Thai soil to stir up unrest with irresponsible broadcasts, propaganda, fabricated stories and false accusations to promote and protect terrorist activities along our common border ... are jeopardizing innocent Karen and Thai [people] ...” the group said.

The KNU-KNLA Peace Council blamed international aid organizations operating along the border as “indirectly or directly supporting terrorists.”

The group also took a swipe at Christian organizations, NGOs and the UN, accusing them of “exploiting the refugee situation to promote themselves for their own monetary gain” and in turn supporting terrorism.

However, the KNU splinter group did not mention in its report the issue of the more than 450,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), most of whom are Karen. Human rights groups said military offensives in conflict areas in eastern Burma produce hundreds of thousands of IDPs in Burma every year.

On March 13, in an article relating to Quintana’s trip to eastern Burma, state-run The New Light of Myanmar said that the Burmese regime was trying to restore peace and stability across Karen State.

“Mr Quintana may relay the message to the international community that the groups that have returned to the legal fold are maintaining peace and stability,” the junta mouthpiece said.

Escorted by Burmese authorities on his trip in February, Quintana met with the three Karen groups that had split from the KNU and had signed ceasefire agreements with the regime.

However, human rights groups such as Amnesty International have continually charged the junta of Crimes Against Humanity during its military offensives in eastern Burma.

In a recent report, UN human rights envoy Quintana urged the Burmese military to respect international human rights and humanitarian law, which prohibited direct attacks against civilians in areas affected by armed conflict, particularly in Karen State.

COMMENTS (42)

KPH Wrote:

06/04/2009

To Naingmya,

Yes I'm qualified for the Olympics, but you are not even qualified for Asian Games. What a pity.

naingmya Wrote:

02/04/2009

KPH,

So you are qualified to take part in marathon running for coming Olympic games. Excellent. Go on.

KPH Wrote:

31/03/2009

Naingmya,

You are not qualified to comment in this discussion because we are talking about politics here.

naingmya Wrote:

30/03/2009

KNU/KNLA PC,

Did you know that KNU ex-members were good marathon runners? They ran without wearing uniforms from Manerplaw. They could perform in the US team and get Olympic gold medals. Let's be proud of them.

Hpa-an Thar Wrote:

30/03/2009

To KNU/KNLA PC, or Timothy,

Your interest is Karen people and innocent Burmese citizens, so you are taking advantage of that by having “cheating recruitment.” Why don’t you tell the truth to the people, including children, when you and your associates are recruiting for the KNU/KNLA PC?

You mentioned that you want peace and justice and believe in democratic principles. If that is so, you should not hide the truth about the residents’ house of KNU/KNLA PC that was built using forced labor and extortion. If you really want to promote “democracy,” you must not encourage forced labor and extortion.

Please do not demand to elect Karen leaders, as you will never be one of them as you expected. We have chosen our leaders already.

Hpa-an Thar Wrote:

28/03/2009

KNU/KNLA PC, or Timothy,

Why do you ask the Irrawaddy to publish your full report to the UN? If your report has the required credentials and a possible solution, surely it will be published by many media. Anyway, I know your motive for pressing the Irrawaddy to publish—it is popularity and jealousy. This is leading you to a wrong way and has caused you to fail in the election of the KNU EC. If you still have that motive, you will be out of the KNU/KNLA PC soon.

Kpaw Hser Wrote:

28/03/2009

To KNU/KNLA PC:

You said “any warlord who kills the innocent and destroys the future of the people should be brought to justice, including anyone that allies themselves with these warlords.” So you and your stepfather SPDC should be brought to justice.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

24/03/2009

....(to peacebuilderdoc)...

Our Karen people, in the past 60 years, have never had a chance to elect their own leaders to serve the public interest and develop the future of our Karen. We also believe in democratic principles. Our Karen people should have equal rights similar to other nationalities to elect their own leader democratically to maintain long-term peace and we are working towards and laying foundations for a democratic system within our own Karen, too.

We appreciate The Irrawaddy permitting our comments so that people can see the truth.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

24/03/2009

To Peacebuilderdoc,

We appreciate your comment. We agree with you that these people need to be brought to justice. According to international law, any warlord who kills the innocent and destroys the future of the people should be brought to justice, including anyone that allies themselves with these warlords. This is the reason we presented this case to the UN and other governments together with evidence, so that proper action can be taken.

We have evidence and records that will hold up in court. Our Karen people also have a right to testify in a people’s court. In our KNU/KNLA PC Constitution, everyone should be held accountable for their actions, we believe in accountability and responsibility.

peacebuilderdoc Wrote:

23/03/2009

To KNUKNLAPC:

If those crimes were committed, they should be tried in a court. And, yes, if it were my family harmed, I would want justice. But I would want justice done through the proper means of justice. I would not want revenge (which is not the same as justice) through character assassination or real assassination. The cycle of revenge and violence and accusations has to stop somewhere.

All I am saying is that your issues - how to bring peace with justice and development to the Karen - are obscured when you accuse, try, and convict others in your report without giving them a trial. It is not part of democracy to do that, and you won't get what you want - peace, justice and development - if you are not willing to use the mechanisms of justice to achieve justice and the tools of democratic dialog/debate to achieve democracy.

Believe it or not, I actually want the issues you raise to be heard and discussed. I find it frustrating when your rhetoric keeps that from happening.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

23/03/2009

To Peacebuilder.com:

If it was your own brother, sister, parents who were grabbed and killed in this manner wouldn't you want justice brought and the criminals exposed?

In addition: anyone who calls themselves a true Karen should agree on the Karen interests to live in peace and development maintaining our Karen cultural heritage of loving, caring, hospitality and truth as we sing in our Karen national anthem.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

23/03/2009

To Peacebuilder.com,

We are not using character assassination – whoever murders our Karen, whether they are Burmese or Thai or from the West, directly or indirectly with all kinds of tactics to destroy the future of our Karen, whatever race or nationality or even some Karen warlords grabbing many of their own Karen innocent from their homes or in broad daylight to kill their own people even in the Mae La refugee camp (under the care of the UN) is no different from a criminal, their cowardly acts are criminal and should be publicly exposed. Because in the past, no one dared stand up and speak out on behalf of innocent Karen families, so many lives have been lost to these criminals who are free to kill many Karen innocent cold-bloodedly without guilt or remorse.

The true KNU/KNLA duty is to protect and work hard for the future of our Karen people.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

23/03/2009

In reply to KKK,

The KNU/KNLA Peace Council is seeing the important issue to create a good future for our own Karen, which is Peace and Development. We are also aware that there are some few Karen, those who are stubborn and set in their old views, who see their Karen people forever becoming refugees and dying. There is nothing that we can be proud of in seeing our people in this condition.

Therefore, this is why the KNU/KNLA Peace Council stepped up to the plate – to put a stop to the war and to achieve peace. Achieving peace is not agreeing with any military violence that is killing our people. We made it clear from the beginning. We do not want war and atrocities that are hurting our people daily as well as the future of our Karen.

If KKK does not agree with what we are doing, then tell us - What is your solution that will bring a better future and good for our people? We are willing to consider any advice that would bring about a good future for our Karen.

KKK Wrote:

22/03/2009

To Naingmya:

I don't think KNU/KNLA/PC is a real lighthouse for Karen people. They are a big trouble for Karen people-line junta. What have they done for the Karen people for the past 50 years? Nothing.

Now, all these Karen people are divided by the junta. They will become homeless, stateless and countryless.

peacebuilderdoc Wrote:

22/03/2009

KNU/ KNLAPC:

I agree with you that this article was biased. I have also challenged you on the content of your full report - which I have read. The issues are legitimate and important, but when [you] libel anyone who disagrees with you and claim total purity of motives for yourselves, you undercut everything you claim you are trying to do. You can't say you promote good governance and democracy and then libel others and demean their perspectives.

Either you are democratic in practice and it shows, or you are just another group trying to impose your answer to complex problems on everyone else. Dictators impose answers on everyone else. Democrats engage in respectful dialog about problems and possible solutions.

So, which is it? Are you dictators or democrats? And what do you have to say about separating issues from character assassination in your own reports?

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

20/03/2009

We support the freedom of truthful speech wholeheartedly, but media should also be aware of their tendency to sway with the popular view and can be tempted to be channels of propaganda and bias. True journalism seeks out the truth from all sides and gives a fair and balanced view on the story, a sincere presentation to the public.

naingmya Wrote:

20/03/2009

KNU/ KNLA PC,

Well done friends! Wish you guys achieve the peace process with the splinter group, so-called KNU thugs.

You guys are a real lighthouse for Karen people. It is also a very important issue for the national security of Thailand. The Muslim groups are gently penetrating into Thai society and building a strong community to occupy Thai territory.

For those who are talking about freedom for all, why don’t The Irrawaddy and exile media write the new from India saying Rohingyas are Bengalis from Bangladesh? You guys want to say India’s govt is also cheating? You guys are really childish and do not know anything. No wonder you couldn't beat the Burma govt which is smarter than you.

Mahn Kyaw Wrote:

20/03/2009

Don't worry much about this matter.

Mr Quintana is a person who is well informed about Burma and the same situation is being applied to the UN too. If someone is dreaming that the UN will just follow the advice from a group of people ... well ... good luck to that group!

Okkar Wrote:

20/03/2009

It seems The Irrawaddy's ugly "biased" head is rearing again. We thought New Light of Myanmar was bad for its propaganda peddling, but it seems this year's academy for dramatization and fabrication of the truth award should go to Irrawaddy. I’d like to ask [editor] Aung Zaw, whatever happened to the "good journalism" that he is always preaching? If you cannot practice what you preach, don’t preach at all.

peacebuilderdoc Wrote:

20/03/2009

KNU/ KNLAPC -The Irrawaddy cannot publish your statement in full because in any country with a functional legal system the authors would be brought up on charges of libel. It would be great to see a version of the report that included the issues without the libelous statements published where everyone can see it so that the issues can be engaged. But you can't expect the media to publish the kind of statements that are in that report.

Phon Naing Wrote:

20/03/2009

Hey, KNU/KNLA PC, Please be positive to all media and do not try to throw your own people into the lion's mouth. People know who the lion is, but the lion never knows the people.

Phon Naing Wrote:

20/03/2009

Hey, KNU/KNLA PC! You cannot force media to stop publishing the truth. That is why we respect freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Your mouth is saying peace but you hand is full of blood. Your mouth is saying God but your mind is full of evil. I know very well who Htin Maung is and what he can do before you. He is not a politician or peace thinker. He is a soldier. He is a good fighter, so he become the seventh brigade commander. When you start knowing his weak points, you choose the chance to divide him from the KNU and brainwash him to join your dictators like Than Shwe's regime. But your aim is to do business between Thailand and Burma for your own benefit. Not for peace or for the people of Burma or Karen people. Your proposal is groundless and unbelievable.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

20/03/2009

We wish to encourage The Irrawaddy to stop publishing stories to create “drama” and promoting conflict which only hurts their own people, but should learn from past experience that no good results have been produced, and focus on what would benefit the people, their own Burmese citizens.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

20/03/2009

4. But our strategy is not condemning, but convincing face to face on the table; standing alongside and working together with our people will bring positive change and a better future for our Karen people.

War is not the answer. War will not bring our people anywhere. Peace is the only solution for a good future.

Our interest is not in military power or politics but our interest is in our Karen people and innocent Burmese citizens as a whole

5. We did not sign a ceasefire (which can be only temporary). We have a Peace Agreement, which is continual, ongoing and long-term.

6. We did not surrender; we are still in possession of our arms to maintain peace and stability for our Karen people.

7. We are not forcing, but welcoming the Karen refugees - our Karen family to come back voluntarily under the care of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council to our Karen homeland.

peacebuilderdoc Wrote:

20/03/2009

Sadly the rhetoric in the full Peace Council Report violates Dr Timothy's 7 principles of peace (attached to the document). By making blanket negative accusations about anyone in the KNU/KNLA, anyone who questions the Peace Council, they only perpetuate a rhetorical crossfire which ultimately leads to real crossfire where people get killed. Everyone has mixed motives. Everyone wants to do good (help others) AND do well (take care of their family). No one is pure.

Effective leaders understand this and set out a vision and a process for reaching the vision that helps everyone find the appropriate balance between public good and private well-being. The Peace Council is raising many valid and important issues. But it is hard to engage the issues when the rhetoric is incendiary. Effective leadership for the Karen will only come when leaders of all groups work together to find a new way forward, and that requires respect not rhetorical bomb-throwing and grandiose claims of personal purity.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

20/03/2009

We also mentioned that there are still some places in the Karen [State] that are still not at peace (and there are IDPs in those areas as well), due to some warlords that are using the KNU name to serve the agenda of others, and are still wanting to continue the war despite the many Karen innocent trapped in between. Many KNU soldiers are still sincerely and genuinely struggling for their cause, except for a few stubborn leaders using their war-sickened minds to cause the downfall of the KNU stirring up the problem and using innocent Karen for their own political goals and monetary gain.

We, the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, are working to have peace in all Karen areas and are continuing to strive for the good future of our Karen. We have observed over the past 20 years, that continuous condemning from a safe haven and comfort zone leads the future of Karen and Burma nowhere. But our strategy is not condemning, but convincing face to face on the table - standing alongside and working together.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

20/03/2009

Seven points for your information:

1. The KNU/KNLA Peace Council is not a splinter-group as The Irrawaddy has labeled us. We are the true KNU-KNLA living together with our Karen people and standing for the rights and cause of the original Karen National Union. We will never separate from our Karen people and we will always stand for our Karen cause and our goal is for the good future and freedom of our people.

Splinter-groups are those who separate themselves from their people, and use names as a cloak to serve other agendas.

2. We, Karens are not puppets of anyone or instruments of the military government, or any government or group. Our duty is to protect and make sure our Karen people return to our own motherland and live in peace.

3. The issues raised in our statement to the UN against military and political games were for the sake of not just our Karen but for all 50 million Myanmar/Burma citizens who are suffering.

points 4-7 following....

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:

20/03/2009

The Irrawaddy should publish the full statement presented to the UN by the KNU/KNLA Peace Council for public viewing instead of quoting portions and omitting vital words, thus reporting it out of context, misleading the public to believe contrary to the true statement of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council. Such words as: “a few,” “some,” “so-called,” and “local.”

We are aware that there are many out there who are enjoying creating negative comments and angry outbursts without the full information, which only leads to conflicts and confusion and results in hurting the innocent. They should use common sense, do their homework and find out the truth.

Perhaps The Irrawaddy did not receive the full information from their source. In the spirit of true journalism we welcome The Irrawaddy to contact us for the true story.

Pwa gyi Wrote:

20/03/2009

Okkar & myanaing : Most welcoming comment.
Of course it will pose as a harsh message to those who love to have never-ever successful, eternal revolution in future, by creating a breeding ground of huge personal gains to corrupted guys. There is lots of undeniable evidence.

Whenever there is a war, it kills people from both sides (maybe more than two). The SPDC and the KNU (and many so-called revolutionary ethnic armed groups) are not saints; both kill lots of innocent people and destroyed private properties, and committed rape and all atrocities one can imagine. The civil insurgency will never stop until both parties wish to stop for the sake of the best interest of the public.

Come on, guys! Wake up. Those camps are nothing but huge thorns to end insurgency (revolutions, as those who love them call them). Many corrupted camps authorities and so called exiles & Thais are making huge profits at the expense of the future and the well being of our Karen people.

Let's be realistic!

Burmese Migrant Wrote:

20/03/2009

Everyone should know that this is not for the Karen people only, but for all people (human beings) who live in Burma. Htay Maung and SPDC wanted to maintain their power and continue doing business. Who's getting richer and richer? Only the bosses, not for the people in Burma.

jack Wrote:

20/03/2009

This issue stands for the Karen right [to show their hatred] for the worst regime.

Tide Wrote:

20/03/2009

Good on you, Karen Splinter Group. What a marvellous idea!

Oh Aung San Suu Kyi – What a brilliant political strategy you have! Your noble call for economic sanctions has given many poor and some opportunists a chance to use it as a political cloak.

No wonder you won the Nobel Peace Prize. Long Live Ms. Suu Kyi. The longer you live the longer the political deadlock will last. The way you handled the UN Envoy’s visit was incredible. Are you still sulking?

While many young men and women sell their bodies in Thailand’s sex trade, you do not have to worry about your sons’ survival. And you can simply ask your devoted and brainwashed followers to scarify for the cause of “freedom” and you just simply collect award after award.

Saw Garroe Wrote:

20/03/2009

It has been so frustrating that the splinter groups are licking the pants of the Junta for the sake of wealth. How dare they - the junta and the splinter groups - put the most powerful United Nations into this situation? Why does the UN have no power to solve that issue in Burma? Of course, Than Shwe is the most powerful leader of the world! Please people (leaders of the world) who have the most access and authority to address that issue, we extremely request you to take a glance of sympathy and give a shelter to the IDPs. Thanks.

chitoo Wrote:

20/03/2009

To Okkar:

You don't know anything. You always blow your air. Remember Than Shwe worships monks and he killed monks.

Salai Bawi Wrote:

20/03/2009

I think it's a good step KNU/KNLA is taking towards rebuilding their land. The Karen have been devastated in the past 40 years because of civil wars with the Burmese regime. I very much welcome their call for closure of refugee camps. However, it is also important both for the KNU/KNLA and Burmese govt to give them secure jobs if they return. This will be the challenge. Anyway, it is very good news that the decades-long war is over. Burma is now in a new dawn for change.

K' nyaw Wrote:

19/03/2009

Leaders like Htay Maung will go to hell with Than Shwe. They lie to the world.

MyoChitThuNYC Wrote:

19/03/2009

Okkar,

You can go back and educate your SPDC bosses when the junta attacks the rebels, they burn down villages, destroy livestock, kill unarmed civilians and rape women. When rebels attack the junta, it is just for self-defense.

Amnesty International did accuse US military (George W Bush) of Crimes against Humanity for the Iraqi invasion and Guantanamo Bay, etc. There was an international outcry against Israel when Israel invaded Gaza. Israel was condemned by virtually everybody.

Okkar, why don’t you start watching uncensored versions of CNN, BBC or Al-Jazeera to get your international news, instead of SPDC's Myawaddy or Myanmar TV 4?

The truth is everywhere, Okkar. Go tell your stupid uneducated SPDC bosses.

Phon Naing Wrote:

19/03/2009

This is not a KNU/KNLA idea, it was SPDC planned. They are all liars. If the international community believes them, they could bring more conflict and bring more stability. The war is not over in Burma.

Johnny FBP Wrote:

19/03/2009

Are you kidding? These people are traitors to their own people to receive concessions from the junta who wrote this propaganda report and to use them to deliver it. As for the junta’s claim to restore stability ... Ha! Just like the wave of arrests and imprisonment of peaceful students and democratic leaders. This report is a farce.

myanaing Wrote:

19/03/2009

Well done! I support this brillient idea. If people really want to see peace in Burma, stop supporting the playing of the poor Burmese refugee card. There is no so-called IDPs in Burma. Those facts are groundless and full of lies.

KKK Wrote:

19/03/2009

Only the Karen trust the junta and will return to Burma.

Okkar Wrote:

19/03/2009

When the army attack rebels, it’s a "Crime against Humanity," but when rebels attack the army, it’s "Revolution." Just as Americans are fighting "insurgents" in Iraq, the Myanmar [Burmese] army is fighting "terrorists" in Myanmar. I wonder why Amnesty didn’t accuse US army/marines of "Crimes against Humanity" for their offensives in Iraq? What about the Israelis’ offensive in Gaza? Is that not a "Crime Against Humanity" too?