Karen community groups demand KNU take their concerns seriously

05 September 2015
Karen community groups demand KNU take their concerns seriously
Karen National Union (KNU) soldier guards during the Ethnic Armed Organization summit in Law Khee Lar, Karen State on June 3, 2015. Photo: Hong Sar/Mizzima

Karen community groups claim the Karen National Union is ignoring their concerns about the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government, reports Karen News on September 4.
The claims came at a meeting 15 community-based Karen groups had with the KNU leaders to discuss the nationwide ceasefire agreement.
The meeting held at Lay Wah in Hlaingbwe Township on August 31 between KNU representatives and the Karen groups was an opportunity for the political organization KNU to explain their position on the nationwide ceasefire agreement.
Saw Soe Doh, who attended the meeting as a representative for the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network said that the meeting was more about information than an open discussion, according to the Karen News report.
Saw Soe Doh told Karen News: “Our leaders explained their position. They seem to be already determined to sign the agreement despite the concerns we have raised. They are not taking [our concerns] it into consideration. It is like they just inform us about their work on the nationwide ceasefire agreement and whatever comments we make don’t matter.”
In addition to the lack of consultation at the meeting, Karen community groups said that invitation for the meeting was given on short-notice and many were unable to send senior representatives to actively discuss the issues with their leaders, the report said.