SUMMARY
In Myanmar (Burma), Karen is one of the biggest ethnic minorities. The aim of KNU (Karen National Union) is to establish self-determination of a Karen state. The tension Between the Myanmar government and the Karen people dates back to the British rule when Karen soldiers were a part of the British Army. In the early 20th century, some ethnic minority activists participated in the early Burmese independence movement. However, the Karen population grew more nationalistic as the central government targeted parts of the Karen population due to Karen soldiers serving in the British Army
During these first offensives, the government troops were unable to make any strategic gains but during the decade 1985-1995, KNU were forced to abandon bases following each offensive. As several of the other members in the joint rebel alliance (Kachin force) signed ceasefires with the government, the government was able to deploy more forces against KNU.
Furthermore, the splits within KNU have provided the government with key information on how to circumvent landmines and booby-traps that protects KNU bases. Since the 1990’s, KNU has been factionalised as three breakaways groups have pursued their own agenda. The splinter groups later signed peace agreements with the government and provided the Myanmar authorities with information regarding KNU activities. The first split occurred in 1994. The leadership of KNU was predominantly Christian while a majority of the subordinated cadres were Buddhists. As rumours regarding corruption in the upper echelon flourished and it was difficult for Buddhists to be promoted, dissatisfaction erupted. The Buddhist monk D Thuzana promoted the construction of a Buddhist pagoda (towers common within Buddhism build either in or in the vicinity of temples) which would provide an important symbol of Buddhist spiritualism. The pagodas would subsequently lead to peace according to D Thuzana. However, the KNU leadership disagreed on the building of a white pagoda due to tactical military reasons as it was believed that such a building would attract the attention of the Myanmar government. The disagreement led to the establishment of DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) which signed a peace agreement with the government in 1995. After the agreement was signed, DKBA helped the government in their battle against KNU. In 1997, a small faction of KNU established God’s Army as they claimed KNU was unable to defend Karen villagers from army assaults. Another breakaway faction split from KNU in 2007 and signed a ceasefire agreement with the government under the name Karen National Union - Peace Council (KNU-PC). This group claimed that the ceasefire is not surrender to the government but an attempt to pursue the Karen goals with peaceful means. As more information has been given to the Burmese government, the landmines that have been the main weapons in the one-sided violence have become less effective. However, there is little known regarding the civilian victims and the reason for the one-sided violence.
KNU first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 1991 when the one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached in August that year when twelve Burmese fishermen were killed during an attack on a trawler.
