A report on the “State of Terror” in Burma has been recently released by the Karen’s Women Organisation (KWO). Documenting 40,001 cases of human rights violations in Burma, the KWO describes the various atrocities that civilians, particularly women, face in the Karen State under the ruling Burmese military regime—the State Peace and Development Council.

Just this month, the Karen Women's Organisation (KWO) recently released its report which focuses on the range of human rights abuses in Burma, based on 40,001 documented cases. KWO is a community-based organisation of Karen women working in development and relief in the refugee camps on the Thai border and with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and women inside Burma.

The report entitled “State of Terror: The ongoing rape, murder, torture and forced labour suffered by women living under the Burmese Military Regime in Karen State,” highlights the abuses experienced by women and girls under the military regime, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), including forced labour and portering. These human rights abuses, the report says, occur as part of a strategy designed to terrorise and subjugate the Karen people, to completely destroy their culture and communities.

In April 2004, KWO also released a report entitled “Shattering Silences,” detailing the high number of women and girls raped by the military during the SPDC’s occupation of the Karen State. These reports demonstrate that women bear the greatest burden of these systematic attacks, as they are doubly oppressed—based on both their ethnicity and gender.

The present report identified recommendations at different levels—for the SPDC, Thai government, and international community. For the SPDC, the report calls for putting an end to sexual violence and all other forms of human rights abuses against women and girls. It also calls for the SPDC to end militarisation in the country. A nationwide ceasefire and tripartite dialogue are also deemed necessary. What is expected from the Thai government, on the other hand, is its continued support and protection to Burmese refugees. And, from the international community, what is needed is to call for the United Nations Security Council to keep Burma on their agenda. In addition, the international community should ensure secure and timely support to refugees and to continue to pressure the Burmese Military Regime to begin a tripartite dialogue.

To read or download the full report, go to <http://www.karenwomen.org/Reports/state%20of%20terror%20report.pdf>.

For more information about the Karen Women's Organisation, visit their website at <www.karenwomen.org>.