Statement of Australian Karen Organisation On recent SPDC military attack the Karen internally displaced Camps

12 June 2009

The Australian Karen Organisation calls on the international community and the Australian government to take urgent action as more than 50,000 Karen civilians flee from the recent attack of the Burmese Army in the Kare
liberated regions.

On the 3rd of June 2009, Lerporher, a camp for internally displaced people which was formed in 1984 in the Karen State inside Burma was shelled with artillery fire from the Burmese Army, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Civilians had to flee for their lives, taking flight in the rain. Within two days (3-4 June) over 2,000 Karen people in the area had crossed to Thailand that number has since risen to 4,500, as over 1,000 Burmese Army soldiers attacked and approach the area.

At the beginning of January 2009 the Burmese military began forcing people to relocate from their homes and villages, forcibly recruiting men and boys in order to build a larger Burmese army. In every family at least one son is forced to join the army, that has been called the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) by the SPDC, although it also contains a significant number of Burmese soldiers.

In one township in the Pa’an District- forced recruitment has landed the Burmese army 700 new soldiers, who have been promised a salary of 25000 Kyat per month (approx A$30 - 40) and weapons. Families who do not have sons must give 30,000 Kyat to the DKBA, while families with sons who refuse to join the army are fined 30,000 Kyat.

Currently the SPDC is conducting other major military operation in Toungoo, Klerlwetu provinces and also around Maethawor areas, (villages on the border with Thailand), shelling Karen villages and Internally Displaced Persons camps. Over 50,000 civilians have to flee from their lives, for fear of being caught up in the fighting or used for slave labour.

The current military attacks against the Karen people, who have historically struggled for democracy, equality and peace in Burma are against the Geneva Conventions, as described by the United Nations. The attack is defying orders from the United Nations and democratic forces in Burma. On the other hand, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) are pushing ahead with elections in 2010 despite international condemnation of the election process.

We, The Australian Karen Organisation, strongly believe that:

1. Only national reconciliation, basic human rights, and a federal union with self-determination, will bring peace and stability to Burma. We therefore call on the UN and international community to work for these goals, rather than accepting the scheme being perpetrated by the SPDC.

2. We strongly call on the SPDC to stop 60 years civil war of ethnic cleansing and uphold its obligations under the UN resolution for Tripartite Peace Negotiations between Ethnic Nationalities Alliances, SPDC, and other democracy alliances led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, which will lead to genuine change and long lasting peace for the future of Burma.


Central Committee
Australian Karen Organisation

Media contact: Saw A. Ganemy Kunoo 0413693311
Saw Lwin Oo 0412344009