Special Contribution: Interview with P'doh Kweh Htoo Win

Summary

1. What does citizenship mean to you?

I was born in Myanmar, and so I am a citizen of Myanmar. Even after I joined the Karen revolution, I still felt that I was a citizen of my country, Burma. After all, I hold a citizen's ID card (Citizenship Scrutiny Card).

Being a citizen is like being a member of the family, and family members don't always get along peacefully! All citizens should have rights, equal with each other. This is particularly important for Karen people, who live spread across the country, and not just in Karen State. It's important that Karen and other ethnic people have rights to self-determination in their own homeland territory and also in other parts of the country.

2. What are the problems Karen people face as citizens of Myanmar/Burma? How have Karen people been treated by the state/government in the past, and present? What are the main challenges?

In the past, during the long years of armed conflict, Karen people faced many difficulties. Issues of citizenship were particularly difficult for people living in areas under the control or influence of the KNU, and other armed groups. They often did not have a chance to receive ID cards, or be recognized as full citizens of Myanmar. The government, and particularly the Myanmar Army, thought of them as KNU supporters, and often treated very badly. It was difficult for villagers to get even basic services from the government, and they were often abused and marginalized. Even for Karen people living “inside” the country, in areas under government control, it was difficult for them to learn their language, as ethnic languages were not used in government service or in schools. Karen and other ethnic nationality people were often looked down on by members of the majority community, and there was great prejudice and widespread racism. Things have started to improve in the last few years, particularly because of the peace process — but there is still a long way to go. Many people in the government and the military are still suspicious of ethnic minority communities.

3. What is the relationship between Karen people and other citizens of the country?

(Relations with the Bama community:) I come from a Christian family in the Tanintharyi Region. Our community has suffered many long years of oppression.