Demand that the Burmese military end their war in Kachin State

Clashes continue in Kachin state

Burma's military continued to attack Kachin Independence Army (KIA) posts in Kachin and northwestern Shan states over the last week. The small isolated clashes came despite repeated claims from senior government officials including Burma President Thein Sein that all fighting in northern Burma had ended.

Last Tuesday evening, the Light Infantry Battalion 432 fired mortar around the Shan village of Konlaw located about 10 km from Bhamo. They attacked Konlaw post in Momauk (N'Mawk) township in Kachin state at approximately 7 pm, according to sources in the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

Over the weekend, KIA forces and army troops clashed in northern Shan state, continuing until Monday, according to KIO officials.  Infantry 130 based in Namtu attacked the Man Dung KIA post. They were assisted by the Infantry 502 based in Kyaukme. Although there were no casualties from the Kachin side, government shelling destroyed several civilians' homes.  Monday saw both sides trade fire near the Man Dung KIA post.

The clashes in northern Burma contradict statements by Thein Sein during his recent trip to Europe

"There's no more hostilities, no more fighting all over the country, we have been able to end this kind of armed conflict," said the president  during a joint press conference with Austria's President Heinz Fischer earlier in the month. Thein Sein was in the Austrian capital as part of a 10 day tour of Europe.

http://bnionline.net/index.php/news/kng/14984-clashes-continue-in-kachin-state.html

Dear Supporters of Burma Community Builders,

Not long ago, Michael Posner, Assistant Secretary of State, spoke to a Congressional Human Rights commission about the situation in Kachin State. Please read below, and encourage your friends to join our call to end the human rights abuses in Kachin State.

Sincerely,

Gordon

Executive Director, Burma Community Builders

"The government has signed ten ceasefire agreements with armed ethnic groups in the past year, including with the Karen National Union with which it had previously been at war for over 60 years. Still, the government's previously longest running and most stable ceasefire with the Kachin broke down 18 months ago and fighting has intensified in recent months. In December, the military used helicopters and jets to attack Kachin Independence Army positions, marking the first use of air power against an armed ethnic group in decades. The Army continued using heavy artillery to shell KIA positions. Estimates are that tens of thousands of Kachin IDPs remain cut off from international humanitarian aid since July 2012. In our talks with the government, I stressed the urgent need to grant immediate access for humanitarian organizations to all those in need. Since the December escalation both sides have tentatively returned to the negotiating table, though a ceasefire will not be reached easily. In the immediate term we have pressed for, and the government has committed to, restoring international humanitarian access to IDPs both in government and in KIA-held territory.

"There have been recent signs of improvement: major international humanitarian groups such as ICRC and UNOCHA have recently regained limited access to deliver aid to Laiza and Hpakant in Kachin State; we are hopeful that these initial visits will produce the long-term sustained access these organizations need. Smaller community based Kachin organizations we spoke with have emphasized the need for these larger organizations to continue to fund smaller service delivery groups who do not need government permission to deliver assistance to IDPs in difficult to reach places. We have continued to press the government to allow ongoing humanitarian access for all groups which is crucial not only for delivering assistance but also laying the groundwork for the kind of trust that a ceasefire requires."

The Free Burma Rangers released a firsthand account today stating that the Burmese military continues to fortify its positions, build additional camps, and resupply, preparing for larger assaults. 25% of all battalions have been deployed to the conflict zone, and the number of internally displaced people from the ongoing violence remains near 75,000, with 10,000 Kachin having flooded into neighboring China. Many of the makeshift camps for the internally displaced camps are now one year old with no significant improvements for its inhabitants, who live in squalor in plywood huts covered by plastic tarp roofs. Poor sanitation, unclean drinking water, and lack of access to health care and education remain prevalent in the camps.

One woman who lives close to the Burmese military held up her baby and stated: ""Yes I am afraid but if I leave what will our Kachin soldiers on the hill above us do? Who will feed them? Who will help them? How will they be encouraged? So as long as I can I will stay with my family here."

The violence must end. Please help Burma Community Builders reach its goal of 2,000 signatories asking Secretary Kerry to help end the violence in Kachin State. Share with your friends and ask them to join today.

Sincerely,

Gordon

Fighting Continues in Kachin State despite high level meetings between the Burmese government and the Kachin Independence Organization.

"Fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burma military broke out last weekend near Sawlaw and Chipwe in northern Kachin state. The clashes started after government troops from Infantry Battalion 29 attacked the KIA Battalion 10 on Saturday. Chipwe, located north east of the Kachin state capital Myitkyina, is home to a small 2,000 MW dam built to supply electricity for the construction of the now officially suspended Myitsone dam."

Our voices must be felt for the sake of ending violence in the region. Raise awareness by posting this Cause to your Facebook account, and inviting your friends to sign on. 

Burma Community Builders