KNU Chair: Understanding Political Situation Crucial Amid Escalating Conflict in Burma
By Network Media Group
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, the chair of the Karen National Union (KNU), emphasized the importance of understanding the political situation if armed conflict continues to increase in Burma.
In a public speech delivered in the Karen language over a week ago, he highlighted the commitment of ethnic armed organisations and other resistance groups to end the military dictatorship in the country while stressing that failing to dismantle it could jeopardise ethnic rights in the long run. As armed conflicts intensify, he urged people to grasp the significance of their efforts, emphasizing the pursuit of public welfare and the realisation of these rights. Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win stated that the struggle aims to establish a federal democratic union and secure public interests for the future.
Pointing out the excessive air and artillery attacks by State Administration Council (SAC) against resistance groups and threats to the populace, he noted that the regime sought to demonstrate its strength. Despite the escalating conflicts, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win affirmed KNU’s dedication to achieving political objectives, including freedom, equality, and self-determination rights, to establish the ‘Kawtholei state’ and a federal democratic union.
“To realise our political objectives, we must overcome (Bamar) chauvinism and the dictatorship,” he declared. He said it is “crucial to building a genuine federal union and ensuring full self-determination rights for Karen State. Cooperation with other ethnic armed organisations and like-minded resistance groups is essential to collectively build a legitimate federal democratic union.”
The Karen leader added that amid armed conflicts across the country, including in Karen State, SAC’s intentional human rights abuses in conflict-affected areas have led to the displacement of many civilians.
