The Karenni Human Rights Group Releases a New Report: Hanging Onto Hope: An Overview of the Human Rights Situation in Karenni State in 2025

Today, the Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG) releases a new report, “Hanging Onto Hope: An Overview of the Human Rights Situation in Karenni State in 2025.” The latest findings reveal a distressing situation on the ground for civilians that has worsened since the attempted coup on 1 February 2021.

Violence levels in local communities are rising. KnHRG reports frequent airstrikes by the military junta, often when no conflict or armed groups are present. Additionally, the junta has acquired more fighter jets and warplanes from Russia and China, which are used to bomb civilians. Schools, hospitals, and camps for displaced persons are routinely targeted. These attacks aim to instill deep fear among those most affected, including women and children. Currently, at least 200,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Karenni State urgently need emergency humanitarian assistance. The gender-specific impacts of this displacement crisis must also be acknowledged.

KnHRG continues to be deeply concerned about the worsening decline of human rights and basic freedoms in Burma. We urge the international community to respond swiftly and collectively, including referring the Burma crisis to the International Criminal Court and implementing targeted sanctions, especially on aviation fuel. Imposing a global arms embargo would stop the junta’s warplanes from attacking communities from the sky and would be an essential move toward ending the junta’s injustices.

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For more information:

Ko Banya: Co-founder, Karenni Human Rights Group

Email: banya7881@gmail.com

Signal: +95 9 254 150 436

Download press release | full report