INFORMATION ON KARENNI NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005252

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR PRM/A TRUSCH AND S/CT TKUSCHNER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2016
TAGS: PREF BM PTER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON KARENNI NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE PARTY

REF: A. RANGOON 1184

B. STATE 130770

C. CHIANG MAI 139

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B,D)


1. (U) This message responds to ref b request for reporting
about the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP). It
provides information about the KNPP's activities in refugee
camps in Thailand.


2. (C) Detailed, concrete information about the KNPP's
activities in the two refugee camps in Thailand where persons
of the Karenni ethnic group make up the majority of the
population is difficult to obtain. We are not aware of any
systematic studies of this subject. Reports about such
activities are anecdotal and impressionistic. We note Ref c
statement that the Burmese government engages in
misinformation campaigns against ethnic organizations. The
information in this message comes from UNHCR representatives
and the deputy head of the Thai-Burma Border Consortium, the
NGO that provides the largest amount of assistance in the
Karenni camps. The two Karenni camps, near Mae Hong Song
City in northern Thailand, are named Site 1/Ban Kwai Nai Soi
and Site 2/Ban Mae Surin.


3. (C) According to the NGO deputy head, the KNPP is a more
closed organization than the Karen National Union, the entity
that represents the Karen ethnic group. The KNPP, like the
Karenni people themselves, tend to keep to themselves. The
KNPP reaches out less to, and has less organized interaction
with the international community and NGOs. KNPP members do
meet with NGOs when requested and are willing to work with
NGOs to resolve problems. The head of the KNPP reportedly
lives in Site 2/Ban Mae Surin.


4. (C) There is a Karenni National Refugee Committee (KNRC)
which is responsible for Karenni refugees in the two camps in
Thailand. According to the NGO deputy head, the KNPP exerts
significant influence over the KNRC, though it may not be
involved in day-to-day administration of the camps. This
administration is carried out by a Karenni camp committee in
cooperation with a Thai camp commander and the international
NGOs that provide food, housing, health, education, and
sanitation services. The NGOs typically have a mix of
expatriate and Karenni staff. Thai security officials are
responsible for providing security around the perimeters of
the camps.


5. (C) The KNPP has lost control of territory and resources
over time because of defeats by the Burmese Army. As a
result, according to the NGO deputy head, the KNPP sometimes
exerts pressure on the camp committees to provide food and
other basic living items. UNHCR reported that some refugees
in the camps have complained that the KNPP imposes taxation
and forced labor, including in dangerous areas across the
border in Burma. Those with minority ethnicity or who have
opposed the KNPP are reportedly singled out.


6. (C) The camp committees have traditionally been
responsible for security and the administration of justice in
the Karenni camps. UNHCR officials stated that the camp
justice system applies some procedures, penalties, and
remedies that are not in conformity with Thai law nor
international human rights standards and can be politicized
and lack impartiality given the KNPP's significant influence
with the camp committees. For example, persons can be
detained and interrogated without due process and persons of
authority in the camp committees have not been punished for
crimes they have committed.


7. (C) UNHCR officials stated that they have received reports
of nine executions or disappearances over the past 5 years
carried out by the KNPP. These persons were apparently
suspected of being spies or traitors. All were ethnic
Burman. UNHCR reports that the families of these persons
were pressured not to report to the police or UNHCR. The NGO
deputy head also said that some executions have occurred but
did not provide a number. UNHCR believes these types of
activities are intimidating to other refugees in the camps.



8. (C) The NGO head said that no Karenni military training is
carried out in the camps. The camps are not used for weapons
storage or as military command centers. The Karenna Army
apparently has military bases in other locations. Some of
the families of soldiers live in the camps, which are porous,
and soldiers come and go and can also live with their
families for extended periods. NGOs and UNHCR do not see
armed soldiers in the camps.

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9. (C) The NGO head said that the Karenni camp committees do
not engage in conscription of soldiers. Some camp members
likely volunteer to join the Karenni Army, although some may
be under the age of eighteen and thus considered child
soldiers. UNHCR reports that some persons under the age of
eighteen go from the refugee camps across the border to
training camps run by the KNPP. Students at boarding houses
in the camps run or sponsored by the KNPP are reportedly
required after they finish their studies to repay the support
by serving in the army or possibly working in a civilian role
with the KNPP.


10. (C) This message was coordinated with Embassy Rangoon and
Consulate General Chiang Mai.
BOYCE