2018

Burma/Myanmar Media Monitoring Database focusing on ethnic issues

Burma/Myanmar Media Monitoring Database published in January 2018 focuses on ethnic issues, particularly conflict, displacement, human rights violations, and related topics. Since May 2016, Burma Link has systematically documented publications by local and national news sources, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and CBOs (Community Based Organizations) to this structured database. The database provides day-by-day news monitoring and an extensive source of information and resources that can contribute to further news reporting, academic studies or independent research on Burma issues.

  • The database is available here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BehIVcUaVciJMR6mB2t2n0ki4W8y0oeJQVU-tHJB6WU/edit#gid=124430495

Documentary film “Like We Don’t Exist”

Directed by Ansley Sawyer and Corey Embring, and produced in partnership with Burma Link, the documentary film “Like We Don’t Exist” was published on Vimeo on March 16, 2018. The documentary amplifies the voices of the displaced ethnic Karenni communities along the Thailand-Burma border who are facing an uncertain future amidst funding cuts and pressure to return to Burma.

Map of refugee and IDP camps along the Thailand-Burma/Myanmar border

In January 2018, we published a new map of refugee and IDP camps along the Thailand-Burma/Myanmar border created by Lucas Grigri / Burma Link. This map can be freely used and reproduced with credit to the author.

2017

Documentary film “Unrecognised Leaders, Tomorrow’s Hope: Raising the Voices of Forgotten Youth”

On February 22, 2017, Burma Link, the Karen Student Network Group (KSNG) and the Karen Youth Organisation (KYO) launched a new documentary titled, “Unrecognised Leaders, Tomorrow’s Hope: Raising the Voices of Forgotten Youth” in a press conference in Rangoon. The documentary amplifies the voices of displaced ethnic youth who live on the Thailand-Burma border, highlighting their calls for inclusion in political processes and recognition of refugee education certificates. The advocacy and outreach for the documentary was supported by Right to Play and Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network.

Infographic briefer about Ei Tu Hta Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Karen Camp

On December 21, 2017, Burma Link published an infographic briefer about the Karen IDP camp Ei Tu Hta, which was cut off from long-standing international food aid in October 2017. The briefer is part of Burma Link’s “Keep Supporting” Campaign, highlighting the urgent need for continuing the support for the IDPs. The briefer presents both information about the camp and voices of Ei Tu Hta camp leadership. It provides an overview of the camp’s history and demographics as well as the current situation regarding food and water supplies, health and education services, and obstacles to return.

Campaign “Keep Supporting Burma’s IDPs and Refugees”

In September 2017, Burma Link launched the “Keep Supporting” Campaign, highlighting the urgent need for continuing the support for refugees and IDPs along the Thailand-Burma border. The campaign was initiated at a time when international support for IDPs in the southeast was set to stop (after September 2017).  The campaign supports the appeals of local organisations in the current crisis, calling for inclusive planning and sustainable solutions, and amplifying the voices of IDPs and refugees and organisations that represent them.

Training module “Empowered Life and Leadership Skills (ELLS)”

The ELLS training module was developed as part of Burma Link’s Agents of Change (AOC) project — between 2014 and 2015, Burma Link conducted trainings with graduate students from higher education schools on the Thailand-Burma border, including Wide Horizons, the Australian Catholic University (ACU), and Thoo Mweh Khee (TMK) (GED level). The 3/4-day ELLS training aims at developing essential life and leadership skills such as confidence, honesty and courage, responsible citizenship, and the ability to effectively deal with others. The materials are now freely available to download online (see below), and also available at the Curriculum Project in Mae Sot, Thailand. Although the materials were developed for educated youth from Burma, they can be adjusted to any teaching environment. When possible, we recommend completing the full module as an intensive 3-4 day course.

2016

Report “Invisible Lives: The Untold Story of Displacement Cycle in Burma”

On August 12, 2016, Burma Link, Burma Partnership and Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFORM) launched a joint report titled, “Invisible Lives: The Untold Story of Displacement Cycle in Burma.” The report focuses on the concerns of the displaced ethnic nationality communities from Burma, particularly the ethnic Mon, living along Burma’s southeast border. The report was launched at a press conference in Rangoon on August 12th and in Moulmein on August 15th, and advocacy also included an animation produced jointly by Burma Link and Burma Partnership published on the World Refugee Day on June 20th. The report was also widely distributed to actors such as the Asia Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights Watch, and the UNHCR as well as numerous international and local organisations involved in human rights and refugee issues. All interviews were conducted by Burma Link.

Book “Lives on the Line: Voices for Change from the Thailand-Burma Border”

On March 16, 2016, Burma Link published a book of life stories, “Lives on the Line: Voices for Change from the Thailand-Burma Border,” after successfully raising the funds for the project through an online crowdfunding platform. Lives on the Line is a collection of the most inspiring, haunting, and incredible life stories that Burma Link has had the privilege to document and transform into written narratives. These are stories that have emerged from decades of oppression and are of those who stand for peace and of those who desire change for their homeland. They will take you through unbelievable experiences full of adventure, danger, and loss, but also an unwavering spirit of resilience and incredible hope and dreams. These are Burma’s Voices for Change. The book was launched in Mae Sot, Thailand, on March 16, 2016.

2015

Briefing paper “Voices of Refugees – Situation of Burma’s Refugees Along the Thailand-Burma Border”

On April 27, 2015, Burma Link and Burma Partnership launched a a briefing paper “Voices of Refugees – Situation of Burma’s Refugees Along the Thailand-Burma Border” online, highlighting how the voices of refugees continue to be neglected in Burma’s reform process. The briefing paper was initially launched and presented at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum 2015, in Malaysia on April 22nd and published online in Burmese on June 20th. The paper was also widely distributed to actors such as the Asia Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights Watch, and the UNHCR as well as numerous international and local organisations involved in human rights and refugee issues. All interviews were conducted by Burma Link.

Submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Refugees and Displaced Persons (Burma/Myanmar)

Burma Link was one of the organisations to produce the 2015 Submission to the UPR on Refugees and Displaced Persons (Burma/Myanmar).

Book “Thailand-Burma Border: History and Current Issues”

In February 2015, Burma Link published the book “Thailand-Burma Border: History and Current Issues,” online. The book provides an introduction and insight into the past and present situation on the border and the lives of those who remain trapped in limbo. Although there have been changes in Burma’s political landscape, the underlying causes of the conflict remain unaddressed. Recent changes on the border have adversely affected the refugee population and severely hampered not only aid efforts but also the work of the pro-democracy and capacity building movement that has thrived on the Thailand-Burma border for decades.

2013

Beginning of the “Voices of the People” interviewing project

In 2013, Burma Link started publishing stories and in-depth interviews on our English website, including interviews with a wide variety of civil society actors as well as soldiers and leaders from different Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs). We share these stories with the global community in English and with the local communities in Burmese in order to promote national reconciliation, justice and equality in Burma, and to empower and inspire the people with a glimmer of hope for their future. With our passion, commitment and constant strive for excellence, we can give a voice to those who are silenced and empower the people of Burma. The first publication told the story of U Soe Myint, a Karen refugee in Mae La refugee camp who was reunited with his family in the camp after nearly 30 years of separation.

Featured Early Achievement

3,644 signatures, 275 pagesIn May and June 2013, thousands of refugees in Mae La camp were having their voices ignored regarding a UNHCR-led profiling survey in the camps targeting all refugees. Over 3,600 refugees in Mae La camp signed a petition refusing to participate in the survey, claiming the questionnaire solicited answers that favoured repatriation, fearing that the information could be used as an indication of “voluntary return.” Although the petition was likely the largest of its kind in the history of the border, no news agency or local organisation was publishing any information about it until the refugees approached Burma Link. We connected the refugees with the UN and cooperated with a journalist to publish a news article about the petition. The profiling survey was subsequently changed so that the more than 100,000 refugees on the border no longer had to claim that repatriation was one of the three options they voluntarily chose for their future.