They call us displaced people; but praise God, we are not misplaced
They say they see no hope for our future;
but praise God, our future is as bright as the promises of God
They say they see the life of our people is a misery;
but praise God our life is a mystery
But what they say is what they see, and what they see is temporal
But ours is the eternal
The third largest ethnic group of Burma, the Karen,
have called the central and southern parts of the country their home
for thousands of years.
Despite their long history and fight for their territory since before
British rule,
Autonomy from the majority Burmans and self-determination...
continue to evade the Karen in post-colonial decades.
This lack of reconciliation between the Karen and the central Government
has meant decades of state-led displacement campaigns
increased militarisation amongst the Karen leadership
and dire poverty without provision of basic
services for civilians by the state.
A combination of these factors led to a perpetual flow of people
across the border to neighbouring Thailand
leading to a refugee crisis.
This particular refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border
with a population of almost 50,000
is larger than most of its Thai neighbours.
You know that, when there's problem
people are the victims, they suffer.
So, in Burma, not only us,
as we call ourselves the political, or, what do you call,
because of the civil war, we cannot
live in our land, we have to cross the border and live here.
But there are many, many people from Burma
they have to come and live or work in Thailand.
People living, are suffering, like, our Karen people are living
in the camp
and now we have some other groups also coming.
other nationalities are coming to the camp.
But we are only a small number
only one 130,000 or 140,000 people.
But you know, people across the border, working in Thailand
There are more than, they say, there are more than 2 million
Originating in 1984, this community has become a microcosm
in its own right
with elected leaders, administering the daily logisitics for thousands
of families that lie outside the jurisdiction of the Thai municipality
Saw Htoo is aware of the atmosphere of change that has taken over the
urban centres of Burma, and the ceasefire negotiations between
the Karen groups and the Burmese armed forces that have come to fruition.
But he does not correlate these developments to an immediate solution
for his communtiy, which struggles for basic supplies due to dwindling aid.
Our going back would depend on the changes taking place in the country
If these changes include equality for all ethnicities
and if the Government changes into the type of Government
that grants us rights and allows us autonomy
and provides us with the right to self determination
under a system of democratic rule,
then of course we will want to go back.
We are waiting to see those changes.
We would like to go back with dignity and only once the Government is
prepared to include us and has a concrete plan.
Only then can we return.
Those like Saw Htoo, who experienced deliberate negligence
by the Government, whilst living in remote communities in Karen State
feel that their loyalties are with their local leaders who they claim
protected them and provided for their needs for decades.
When we lived in Karen State,
we were under the patronage of the Karen National Union (KNU)
The KNU fought for our rights and self-determination so we feel that
they are our leaders
While 2012 has been heralded as the start of historic ceasefire
agreements between different ethnic groups, including the Karen and the
Burmese Armed Forces,
Imminent return to their homeland is still a distant notion
for this community.
People in Burma, not only the Karen people, but all the ethnic groups
what they want is national reconciliation.
Where all, everyone, to sit at the table and talk.
If this military wants to change - seemingly they are doing some things
that appear to be signs for changes. But it will depend on
whether it is sincere, a sincere attempt for change.
The latest ceasefire agreement that has been reached between the Karen
and the Government, has perked the interest of those who wish
to eventually return home.
But defining home for hundreds of thousands whose houses
no longer exist in Karen State and those who have only experienced life
in this camp, will be a large scale challenge
even in the event of permanent peace.