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KWO 6th Congress Statement 2013 Burmese Version
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KWO Statement on World Refugee Day, June 20th
KWO Statement on World Refugee Day, June 20th, 2012 English Version
KWO Statement on World Refugee Day, June 20th,2012 Karen Version
KWO Statement for World Refugee Day Burmese Version
Date: 20th June 2012 World Refugee Day
“Even I Am a Refugee, Listen to My Voice”
The Karen Women Organization (KWO) welcomes another World Refugee Day. For this year the KWO theme is “Even I Am a Refugee, Listen to My Voice”. This theme was chosen by refugee women participants in a KWO training on Refugee Rights and Repatriation held this month. On 20th June each year, the world is reminded of the plight of refugees. They are encouraged to maintain or increase the humanitarian aid for refugees so that refugees can try to live in dignity. It is also a day to give thanks to those countries, like Thailand, that host refugees. We are women refugees and we want to recognize this day in a formal way because we have been advocates for change in our refugee community for many years. We know there is a lot to do, especially now as we notice some new favorite words being used by the Burmese Thein Sein Government and some International agencies… “Refugee Repatriation”. We want to be sure that even refugees are listened to.
On 17th June, 2012, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi finally was able to go to Norway freely and give a speech of acceptance for the Nobel Peace Prize which she was awarded in 1991. During her speech she explained that she had travelled to visit a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border recently, where there have been serious funding cuts resulting in reduced food rations and services. “I met dedicated people who were striving daily to make the lives of the inmates as free from hardship as possible. They spoke of their concern over ‘donor fatigue,’ which could also translate as ‘compassion fatigue.’ ‘Donor fatigue’ expresses itself precisely in the reduction of funding. ‘Compassion fatigue’ expresses itself less obviously in the reduction of concern. One is the consequence of the other. Can we afford to indulge in compassion fatigue? Is the cost of meeting the needs of refugees greater than the cost that would be consequent on turning an indifferent, if not a blind, eye on their suffering? I appeal to donors the world over to fulfill the needs of these people who are in search, often it must seem to them a vain search, of refuge.”
Today the KWO Secretary, Dah Eh Kler said, “If we have a choice, no body wants to become a refugee. I still remember the day when I was forced to leave my village. I did not plan to do it but the Burmese army entered our village and started shooting, so we all had to run for our lives. None of us planned to leave our country and become refugees in another country. So now if there is a possibility for us to return to our homes, we want to have a real test of freedom and to be fully included in planning our return. In the past I have said… Nothing about us, without us. But today I want to say “Nothing About Refugees Without Refugees”.
Although there is a lot of media attention on the current Peace Process in Burma, there is little change on the ground for the ethnic peoples. In fact, we have seen more human rights violations, land confiscations, increased Burmese military presence, forced labor, killing and continued fighting in some areas. It is not safe for refugees to return to Burma. It is not safe for refugees to be excluded from discussions and planning about their return. There is a lot of fear and not enough freedom.
On this World Refugee Day, as women and as refugees, KWO would like to call on all those sitting at the tables and making decisions about the lives of refugees to listen to our voices, and to genuinely include us. We want to see refugee representatives at every table. We want to see women representatives at every table. Refugee return will not be safe unless we are listened to every step of the way.
Contact:
Naw Blooming Night Zan – +66 885455746
Naw Ta Mla Saw – + 66 810266738
Karen Women Organization condemns attempted rape of 22-year-old Karen woman by Burmese Army
Karen Women Organization
P.O. Box 19, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, 58110, Thailand,
Email: kwocentral@gmail.com Website: http://www.karenwomen.org
Karen Women Organization condemns the attempted rape of a 22-year-old Karen woman by the Burmese Army
Date: March 5, 2012
The Karen Women Organization today has begun caring for a 22 year old mother who was viciously attacked yesterday by two members of the Burmese Military. The two soldiers attempted to rape her while she was working to grow vegetables for her family. The victim has been badly beaten and drugged. She was only able to escape when nearby gunfire caused the soldiers to leave. This case of violence against a young woman in our community is particularly disturbing as it confirms previous reports of continued human rights violations against women and others despite the Burmese government’s initial cease fire agreement with the Karen National Union and some recent changes inside Burma.
“We are outraged and deeply saddened to hear about this attempted rape and brutal attack. Unfortunately, it is only the most recent case. We hope for peace every day, but this despicable attack reminds us how far we have to go to have the rights, peace and safety our community deserves.” stated Dah Eh Kler, Secretary, Karen Women Organization
There must be an end to human rights abuses in order for true peace and democracy to be achieved in Burma. Karen women, along with Karen men and children, have been abused by the Burmese military for decades. While the international community has welcomed changes inside Burma as the beginnings of a new day, the day to day reality for people living in villages throughout Karen State remains unchanged. This most recent egregious case is only one example of human rights abuses which continue every day including forced labor and other acts of violence against women. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has affirmed many times that violence against women is a violation of human rights and has emphasized the particularly heinous role such violence plays in conflict situations or when condoned or encouraged by the State.
We ask the international communities, who have been encouraging the Burmese dictatorship to move toward democracy, to take our reports of abuse seriously. We ask that you take all possible steps to create a more comprehensive Peace Agreement which ends human rights violations so a legitimate political settlement can be reached. We need a Peace Agreement which the military-backed government can be held to with real monitoring and accountability. Violence against women cannot be tolerated, nor can Karen women have faith in a process for change or the Thein Sein government when they are faced with this type of abuse.
Contact: Nan Dah Eh Kler – +66 857269291
Naw K’nyaw Paw – +66 810295503
