Bito Lohe
When people’s liberty has been confined owing to antagonism and the assemblage in authority drills enormity at the expense of the other, the oppressed suffer and are coerced into permanent paralyzing fear. The greatest dream of any organized group of people is to live sans containment, and for this cause, resisting against authoritarianism emerges to be the paramount prerequisite. Fear and suspicion ensue in an effort to reinstate the inalienable rights and more often than not this genus of struggle leads to pricey discord.
One of the ethnic groups of Burma (Myanmar) and the original inhabitants of the current Karen State are the Karen people. The State lies in the south-east region of the country flanking Thailand. The Karens are one of the most populous ethnic groups, with the exception of the Burmans, having seven million people residing in Burma. Akin to other peoples’ history, their history too is crammed with conflict and strife. They have been combating for the greater autonomy under the core political wing of Karen National Union (KNU) since Burma’s independence. The struggle with the government has been on for more than 60 years.
Conversely, the potent resistance dwindled following the ruin of Manerplaw (then KNU headquarter) in early 1995. As a corollary, the hopes of those who believed in Kawthoolei- the Karen Free State espoused by KNU President Saw Baw U Gyi in June 1949 were abated. The Burmese military regime gained impetus from the then depressing state of affairs and in so doing intensified aggression. The afflictions felt by the Karens were massive and the decisive upshot was fleeing to Thailand for refuge. Subsequently, inceptions of more refugee camps in Thai-Burmese border ensued.
Numerous people died amid fleeing from the havoc. The grounds of casualties diverged. Scores of hundreds perished owing to contagious ailments; malaria, diarrhoea, and other linked infirmities in the course of embarking for safe haven. Masses were crippled by landmines, while some of the victims resorted to suicide dreading further agony. Hundreds of families fled to diverse directions and were ignorant of where the other kin had been. As a consequence, it took years for them to reunite after the severance. On the heartrending side of the account, many families were unable to assemble their cherished ones as they had fallen prey to their antagonists. The appalling incidents during the pinnacle of belligerence had acutely hooked onto their emotional, physical and psychological facets and the recurring trauma is intensely felt till date.
Seeing the dismal state, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNHCR) made its instant turnout at the scene for sustenance. This humanitarian undertaking began following the downfall of Manerplaw in 1995. Currently, seven Karen refugee camps have been under the U.N.’s corroboration. When the population is conglomerated from all seven camps, the figure is 143,000. The U.N. has been extending aid encompassing basic needs- food, clothing, and shelter since their inceptions. Subsequently, a number of NGOs joined in the backing. Not only their fundamental requirements but also concerns pertaining to education are succoured as primary schools, high schools, and junior colleges have been endorsed.
To abate further turmoil, the U.N. has instigated resettlement with the intention that the refugee population would eventually come to a halt without more ado. In response to this endeavor, countries viz U.S.A., Canada, Australia and the European nations have been engaging on the facilitation. The up-to-date statistical report indicates that over 30,000 Karens reside in the United States alone whilst the figures in other third countries are relatively fewer. Nonetheless, contrary to the prospect of the U.N. in its prolongation of the relocation, the refugee population in the camps is rather on the escalating scale. One is secure to insist that the eventual elucidation of easing the mayhem does not lie in resettlement as the existing veracity indicates the other way round.
The recent assignment of Aung San Suu Kyi into the main stream politics and more so as the leader of opposition has fetched a moderate optimism. She has an intimacy with the Karen people by virtue of her mother’s upbringing. This has been one of the traits that have brought fervor that their case would not be overlooked once she is voted to power, when genuine democracy triumphs in Burma. In the course of an optimistic outlook, a glum view is not exclusively gone as certain cluster of influentials opines that her ongoing ambassadorial tour overseas may thrust another crisis at home, as was an analogous case in earlier epoch. They tilt toward pessimism yet they can’t be branded as too pessimistic in their conjecture as the existing Burma’s government is beneath the dictation of former military generals.
Amid apprehension, there is a relative calm in political dome as more rooms are alloted to the ethnic groups to partake in the dialogue. Having this prospect, a ceasefire talk between KNU leaders and the government of Burma is taking its ground. As in any peace negotiations, the skirmishes between the two parties are not entirely gone despite the efforts on both sides. Along with this episode, the speculation is on that the restoration of diplomatic ties would take sometime and would not be accomplished sans exertion.
Burma is second to none in natural resources and Karen State is no exception. The recent upgrading in political framework is opening to entice several countries for trade. It has magnetized not only the east but also the west is lending its ear in this showcase. However this brings some ominous news to the Karen refugees as the talk is commencing between Burma and Thailand and the latter being the donor of haven has an inclination for early repatriation. This has caused unrest among the refugees as they are tentative that the actual repatriation might transpire sooner than expected. On the surface, the state of affairs has appeared relatively serene but beneath there are oodles to be set right. Consequently, the Karen people are still unconvinced and cautious that subsequent to the repatriation, the situation might get back to square one. So far, it involves complexity to give the precise surmise whether Burma would see enhancement or decline, but to many, one trend is apparent that the true colour would be divulged succeeding the general election in 2015. For this reason all and sundry is apprehensive for the impending event.
