The Karen's struggles in Burma : a Karen perspective

This thesis seeks to present a Karen perspective on that people’s struggle in the civil war in Burma that has now lasted for more than fifty year. It took pains to define the various branches of the Karen nation and to trace its historical background. It highlighted the long history of ethnic antagonism and warfare amongst the different ethnic groups in Burma and, in particular, the persecution that the Karen have suffered at various times at the hands of their aggressive neighbours. It argued that this history of persecution and its more recent recurrence lay at the core of the outbreak of civil war in the wake of Burma gaining its independence.It is argued that the Karen felt particularly aggrieved that their loyalty towards the British allies during World War II counted little in the planning for post-war independence and that substantive power was handed over to the Burmese ethnic group and that Karen claims for an independent state were ignored. It is argued that the Burmese initiated military conflict and forced the Karen to take up arms in their defence in a quest to establish their own independent government in the Karen ‘liberated’ areas. Over time, other ethnic nationalities joined the Karen in opposition to the Rangoon ruling government and this alliance has pressed for the establishment of a genuine federal system for Burma, with the right of self-determination to be guaranteed to all the ethnic nations.It is also argued that the Burmese military regime has continued to prosecute what amounts to a genocidal war and their policy of ‘ethnic cleansing’ has placed them amongst the world’s worst violators of human rights. Trade, investment and, particularly, arms sales from ASEAN members and other neighbouring countries have enabled this military regime to further pursue this policy with the result that thousands of refugees have fled to Thailand and other neighbouring countries. Despite this, however, this thesis shows that the Karen led resistance politically sand has continued its military opposition to the Burmese regime, celebrating the fifieth anniversary of their struggle.