For most people, a new road might mean improved livelihoods and easier transportation. However, for the Karen people of Mutraw District, who have endured conflict for generations and recently restored peace to their ancestral lands by establishing the Salween Peace Park, an unexpected road suggests that a life of peace and stability is still far off. In this short film, villagers in the Salween Peace Park share about their defiance towards the Burma Army’s road construction and how, despite the 2015 signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, this road rekindles historic violence and has brought about more recent tragedy. Most of all, this video report follows the hopes and fears of local Indigenous Karen communities as they reflect on how the road will affect their future.
“We don’t want to have to flee again. We want to live peacefully. We don’t want to suffer again. We want to live peacefully together with our family and friends. This is our only hope.” said Naw Hsu Paw, villager in the Salween Peace Park.
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