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!
This Experience [of War] Will Never Disappear from My Mind: Lay Lit, Karen Refugee and Youth Leader
Burma Link | October 3, 2017 Naw Lay Lit Ray Thaw comes from a Karen village in a non-government controlled area of Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 6 in Karen State, southeast Burma. Lay Lit [...]
‘We Will All Immediately Return … If There Is Peace’: Saw Hser Htoo Plaw, Leader of Karen IDP Camp
Burma Link | September 29, 2017 Born in a Karen village on the banks of Salween River, Saw Hser Htoo Plaw experienced a life of displacement from an early age. At the age of 15, [...]
‘They Reduced the Support for the Refugee Camps … That Is Why the ‘Voluntary’ Return Is Happening’: Lay Lit, Secretary of KSNG
Burma Link | September 28, 2017 Naw Lay Lit Ray Thaw comes from a Karen village in a non-government controlled area of Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 6 in Karen State, southeast Burma. Lay Lit [...]
‘They [Government] Are Just Doing a Show for the International Community, but They Really Want to Control the Ethnic Areas’: Moon Nay Li, General Secretary of KWAT
Burma Link | September 1, 2017 Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) is a non-profit organization which works from Chiang Mai, Thailand, and advocates for ethnic women’s rights. The organization was created in 1999, in reaction [...]
‘All These Laws Are Intended to Take the Indigenous People’s Land Legally’: Saw Eh Say, Coordinator of Karenni Earthrights Action Network
Burma Link | August 16, 2017 The Karenni Earthrights Action Network (KEAN) was founded on January 15, 2012, by an alumni group from the Earthrights International (ERI) program. The organisation strives to protect and empower [...]
Burma’s Ethnic People Speak to Mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Burma Link | August 11, 2017 The decades-long struggle of Burma’s ethnic nationalities for equal rights, social justice and federal democracy, and the grave human rights abuses occurring predominantly in outlying ethnic areas, continues to [...]
‘Take Effective Action…Leading to the Emergence of an International Criminal Tribunal for Burma’: Aung Htoo, Founder of Legal Aid Network
Burma Link | July 17, 2017 July 17, 2017, is the 15th Anniversary of the Rome Statute, which saw the establishment of the International Criminal Court and now marks the World Day for International Justice. In [...]
‘The NLD Government Should Be More Proactive and Initiative in the Peace Process’: Twan Zaw, General Secretary of the ANC
Burma Link | July 10, 2017 Twan Zaw has been working with the Arakan National Council (ANC) since 2004, and as the General Secretary since 2010. Twan Zaw joined the ANC as one of the [...]
‘We Do Not Have Any Funding to Save the Lives of These People’: Mary Twan, Director of KIA-Area Based Aid Organisation
Tribal Action Group and Burma Link | July 3, 2017 120,000 Kachin IDPs (internally displaced people) struggle to survive on 6.5 US dollars per month as the Burma Army continues attacking villages and committing violations [...]
‘The Government Really Needs to Encourage the Youth More’: Saw Htoo Htoo Stin, President of the Karen Student Network Group
Burma Link | June 29, 2017 As the President of the Karen Student Network Group (KSNG), Saw Htoo Htoo Stin has an important role in shaping the future of the youth of Karen State. He [...]
‘They [Youth] Are Necessary to Reframe the Country’s Future’: Saw Bless, Karen Youth Organisation
Burma Link | June 27, 2017 Saw Bless grew up a multi-ethnic village in Taungoo, Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 2. Things started changing for young Saw Bless after he started going to school ran by [...]
‘Refugee Youth Need to be Included in Advocacy’: Julia Mayerhofer, Secretary General of APRRN
Burma Link | June 23, 2017 Julia Mayerhofer joined the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) in 2011 and is currently the Secretary General. Julia’s passion and interest to work with refugees goes back ten [...]