Voices of the People
These are Burma’s voices for change, extraordinary stories of people of Burma from all walks of life. Their experiences, struggles, fears, and successes. These are unheard stories of incredible spirit of resilience and courage, voices of hope and dreams that have emerged from decades of oppression. Help us spread these voices across the globe!
‘We Can’t Wait to Get Peace Because People Are Dying… We Have to Work on the Ground to Seek Justice and Equality’: Khun Oo, General Secretary of the PYO — PART 2
Burma Link | January 30, 2019 After more than seven months’ delay, the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference (21CPC), taking place in July 2018, excluded discussions on contentious issues such as non-secession, [...]
‘When You Talk About Peace, You Have to Talk to Your Enemies, You Have to Talk with Them Even More Than Your Friends’: Khun Oo, General Secretary of the PYO — PART 1
Burma Link | January 23, 2019 Despite the years-long peace process and the October 2015 signing of the ‘Nationwide’ Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), Burma’s civil society organizations continue to be significantly underrepresented in peace negotiations and [...]
‘We Need More [International Support] in Kachin State’: Ah Ze, General Secretary of AKYU — PART 2
Burma Link | November 1, 2018 Driven by her love for Kachin people, Ah Ze always believes that she has the responsibility to empower the younger generation through education. Since 2013, she has been a [...]
‘Not Only Do They [Burma Army] Aim Their Weapons Against Civilians, They Also Rape the Women’: Ah Ze, General Secretary of AKYU — PART 1
Burma Link | October 18, 2018 Ah Ze is the General Secretary of the All Kachin Youth Union (AKYU), an organization which she joined in 2013 to empower today’s youth to work towards establishing a [...]
“Development Projects Should Not Go Ahead Unless There Is Political Settlement”: Ting Oo, Executive Director of Arakan Rivers Network
Burma Link | August 16, 2018 In the spirit of August 9, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Burma Link presents you with this feature interview with Ting Oo, Executive Director of Arakan [...]
‘In Burma as We Know If One Side Is Cold, the Other Side Will Be Hot’: Lay Lit, Karen Refugee and Youth Leader (UPDATE 2)
Burma Link | August 2, 2018 This story is the most recent update to Naw Lay Lit Ray Thaw’s story, published as part of Burma Link’s “Protracted Displacement” longitudinal interview series. Lay Lit comes from [...]
Gen Yawd Serk: ‘the Peace Process Has Stalled Because of the Tatmadaw’
Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N) | July 26, 2018 SHAN speaks to the RCSS/SSA leader about his decision not to attend the third session of the Union Peace Conference this month. At the third [...]
“The ethnic people need to stand in unity. Especially, the EAOs need to stand firmly on the aim and expectation.” — Interview with KNU’s Former Vice-Chair Naw Zipporah Sein
By Banyar Aung / Mon News Agency / BNI Online | July 31, 2018 Banyar Aung, the editor of the Mon News Agency, interviewed Naw Zipporah Sein, spokesperson of the KNU Concerned Group and former [...]
‘I Cried When I Saw Churches, Villages and Homes Burning [in Kachin]’: Karenni Refugee Student and Burma Army Deserter
Burma Link | July 3, 2018 Khu Reh* grew up in Karenni State amidst poverty and lack of educational opportunity. Since the age of 13, Khu Reh dropped out of school and worked any jobs [...]
‘It Is Dangerous for Our People or Any Organization to Move There [Burma]’: Khu Myar Reh, Karenni Refugee School Principal
Karenni Social Development Center (KSDC) and Burma Link | June 19, 2018 Khu Myar Reh is a teacher and human rights activist who fled Burma Army violations in Karenni State to the Thailand-Burma border at [...]
‘The Burma Army Killed Him [Saw O Moo] – At Least the Government or the Army Should Commit to Not Do This Again’: Paul Sein Twa, Executive Director of KESAN
Burma Link | May 28, 2018 Paul Sein Twa is the Executive Director of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), a community based non-profit organisation that works to improve livelihood security and to [...]
Interview with KIO Information Department Head Lt. Col. Nhpang Naw Bu
Kachinland News | April 25, 2018 Kachinland News conducted a phone interview with Col. Nhpang Naw Bu, head of KIO Information Department, on April 24, 2018. KLN: The Burma Army’s offensive in the western region has intensified [...]