The Karens are an indigenous people in the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand and Burma. In Burma, the Karens are the second largest ethnic group.

On August 12, 1950, Karen national leader Saw Ba U Gyi, who was the founder and president of the Karen National Union was gunned down along with eight of his colleagues in Kawkareik, Karen State (Burma), while waging a just defensive struggle for freedom, national equality, democracy and peace.

Martyrs Day honors fallen leaders, soldiers, and civilians that have lost their lives in the struggle for freedom and national equality.

(Photos: courtesy of Zoya Phan)

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Karen Women's Organization would like to highlight the escalating military campaign in Burma that is every day increasing the numbers of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs).

The latest SPDC offensive against Karen people and land began in November 2005. Karen refugees have been fleeing across the border to Thailand since fighting began in 1974: 120,000 Karen people live in refugee camps in Thailand and 300,000 people are internally displaced in Karen State. Of these, only 150,000 can be reached by organizations to be given any assistance. Over half the refugees and IDPs are women and children. Since the latest brutal campaign began in November 2005, the numbers of refugees fleeing Burma and being internally displaced are among the highest since fighting in 1985.

On this World Refugee Day, we draw attention to the violence in Burma that continues to create more refugees and internally displaced people every day. We, Karen Women's Organization ask neighboring Asian countries, the international community, the United Nations Security Council and all Burmese people to work together to stop Burmese military operations, and to pressure the SPDC to create a country free from fear.

Media contact:

Naw Zipporah Sein:                    01-9527145

Naw Blooming Night Zan:            01-973647