Cautious optimism - Burma ceasefire

Indication of location of Thai-Burma border in relation to the UK. Thailand has been receiving refugees from neighbouring Burma for decades. Click on map to view the location of Hpa-an in Burma, where the ceasefire was agreed, and Mae Sot in Thailand, where IRT supports various refugee projects.A ceasefire has been agreed between Burma’s military-backed government and the Karen National Union (KNU) at a meeting in Hpa-an, the capital of Karen state. The ceasefire includes the promise to open permanent communication channels between the Karen and the national government.

This could be a major breakthrough for Burmese refugees, a large number of whom are Karen, especially coupled with the recent government reforms and release of political prisoners in Burma.

The KNU has been fighting for greater autonomy for Karen state since 1949, which has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. The Burmese army has been accused by human rights groups of summary executions, torture and rape, as well as looting and the destruction of property.

Members of the Karen diaspora are cautiously optimistic upon hearing the news, with Karen Communities Worldwide urging the government to “solve the political problems behind the conflict, such as the guarantee of ethnic rights and culture". Until this happens, the group maintain that “it is not safe to return to Burma".

A Burmese family in Mae Sot, Thailand, at one of IRT's projects. We support Burmese refugees by providing education and skills training as well as opportunities for income generation.Despite previous ceasefires failing, and often being exploited by the military to make gains into ethnic regions, there is more optimism attached to this one, given the current political environment in Burma.

Following internationally condemned elections in November 2010, most viewed the new civilian government led by Thein Sein as a puppet administration for the military regime. Since then however, Thein Sein has embarked on a number of reforms, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners such as pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

However, while a long-term peace agreement is yet to be reached between Burma's government and ethnic minority groups, tens of thousands of refugees remain in Thailand. It is here that IRT provides support to local organisations by funding schools, skills training for adults and income generation projects.

Watch the Associated Press (AP)'s report on the ceasefire and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's comments on the event.

IRT's supporters will be running the London 10K for Burmese refugee families in Thailand this year. Find out more about the London 10K Run 2012 here.