Karen Women Still Being Harassed

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

February 27, 2004

Even while ceasefire talks between the Karen National Union (KNU) and State Peace Development Council (SPDC) are ongoing, violence against Karen women by the SPDC is still continuing, said the Thai-Burma based Karen Women’s Organization (KWO).

“A woman was raped in Taung Ngu district around 17th of last month. And even during this time there is other evidence of violence against women. After they (SPDC soldiers) rape the women, they deny the allegation, claiming that they only take women to act as their guides. The soldiers also force the village pastors, elders and even the women’s own husbands at gunpoint to sign statements saying that the military had only taken women as guides. In some cases women are also beaten. With all this evidence, we are able to say that violence against Karen women has not ceased,” said a Nan Wa Wa Soe Thein, a KWO central committee member and spokesperson.

The KWO is calling for groups to monitor the constant human rights violations, including sexual violence against women, in the Karen areas.

“Even though they are currently in a ceasefire negotiating process, there continue to be controversies. To have a balanced perspective and be able to judge the situation accurately, organizations like the ICRC or a human rights watch group, SPDC representatives and KNU representatives should form an observer group,” said Nan Wa Wa Soe Thein.

The KWO also expresses concern that unless there is a genuine political resolution, the Karen refugees in Thailand should not be deported back to their country. However, if this was to happen, it should only be done with the United High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) monitoring the process.

The KWO held a two-day consultation meeting on the current political situation on the Thai-Burma border on 24-25 February with 58 representatives attending, including from inside Burma.

While the KWO have stated their support for a ceasefire peace agreement between the KNU and the SPDC, they also stated that the KWO would demand a role for Karen women in the negotiation process.

The first task prioritized to be the clearance of landmines for victims who are internally displaced so they are able to go back to their original areas, said the KWO. The KWO condemns the military junta’s proposed National Convention arguing that this process will only ensure a longer life for the brutal military.

After 50 years of armed struggle with Rangoon, the KNU’s vice-president, Gen. Bo Mya, reached a verbal agreement with the SPDC's Prime Minister, Gen. Khin Nyunt, at a meeting in Rangoon in December 2003. A third round of talks took place on February 21 in Moulmyein. Though originally planned for 5 days, the talks were cut short to 2 days.

During the third round of talks, the KNU attacked a SPDC ammunition camp in the port village of Duyin near Moulmyin, killing 3 and wounding 7 SPDC's soldiers. However, the KNU also accused of the SPDC of violating the ceasefire agreement during their previous round of talks.

Working to support the Karen political struggle, the KWO was established in 1949. It has approximately 30 000 members from Thahton, Taung Ngu, Nyaung Lay Pin, Maigui-Tavoy, Phua Pon, Pha Ant and Du Palaya districts in Burma as well as many in exile.