DKBA soldiers burn down Ler Bpoo village, Pa'an District

On August 26th, DKBA forces operating under Bo Gk'Do, an officer serving with Maung Chit Thoo of DKBA Special Battalion #999, burnt down the village of Ler Bpoo in eastern Pa'an District. Prior to being burnt down, the village had 50 households and a population of approximately 100 villagers. The former residents initially fled to seek shelter elsewhere. Some villagers went to stay with relatives in neighbouring settlements and others to a Buddhist monastery located in a nearby village. On Wednesday, August 27th, DKBA forces ordered the displaced villagers to return to stay at an open field located near the now burnt-down remains of Ler Bpoo village. Continue

FBR Report - Relief Efforts Continue for People in Hiding.

5,000 Karen people remain in hiding as a result of the Burma Army's long-running and brutal campaign to forcibly expel villagers from their homeland in Mergui-Tavoy District. Relief efforts continue in the face of Burma Army oppression as 46 Burma Army infantry battalions and 12 artillery battalions continue to try to subjugate the people of this area. 50,000 Karen now live under Burma Army control in forced relocation sites and thousands more have fled to refugee camps across the border in Thailand. The Burma Army patrols daily and attacks against the displaced are still common, with the last attack coming in January 2008, destroying homes, food, belongings and displacing over 430 people from five hiding sites. Forced labor, extortion and extrajudicial punishment are also commonplace for those living under Burma Army rule.

In the face of this oppression, villagers and those displaced work together to survive and improve their lives. local organizations, the Karen resistance, the Karen National Union (KNU) and relief agencies also do their best to address the many security, dietary, health, and other needs of the people here. This report is an update on the current situation in Mergui-Tavoy District, the area making up the southernmost tip of Burma. Continue

Mortar attacks, landmines and the destruction of schools in Papun District

SPDC abuses against civilians continue in northern Karen State, especially in Lu Thaw township of Papun District. Because these villagers live within non-SPDC-controlled "black areas", the SPDC believes it has justification to attack IDP hiding sites and destroy civilian crops, cattle and property. These attacks, combined with the SPDC and KNLA's continued use of landmines, have caused dozens of injuries and deaths in Papun District alone. Such attacks target the fabric of Karen society, breaking up communities and compromising the educations of Karen youth. In spite of these hardships, the local villagers continue to be resourceful in providing security for their families and education for their children. This report covers events in Papun District from May to July 2008. Continue