Kayin (Karen) civil society organizations (CSOs) held a praying ceremony to mark the one-month death anniversary of community leader Saw O Moo who was killed by the Tatmadaw while he was transporting food supply and medicines to displaced residents on April 5.
The ceremony was held at the Thai-Myanmar border on May 5 evening.
The Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN)’s director Saw Paul Sein Htwar said the praying ceremony was held in remembrance of what Saw O Moo, local leader of Mutraw Emergency Assistance Team (MEAT), has done for his region and the public and emergence of the truth on the death of an innocent civilian.
“This remembrance ceremony was held because we want the truth on Saw O Moo's death to become revealed in the future. His death was not in vain. The main reason why he died is because the public is still being oppressed. We want to let them know that we really want peace,” he told KIC News.
MEAT released a statement on April 9 to confirm the death of Saw O Moo, who was shot dead by the Tatmadaw on his way home to Ler Mu Plaw area while he was providing emergency aids to over 2,000 local residents that have been displaced by the fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Union (KNU) in the KNU Bridge 5 area in early March.
However, his family members and colleagues still have not been able to see his body even though he died a month ago and no truth has been revealed concerning his death, according to his sister Naw Wah Nay Say.
“We don’t want anything for his death. We just want to see his body. Even if we can’t see the entire body, we just want to see his flesh and blood or some hairs so that we can accept his death,” she said.
Hosted by the KESAN and the Karen Student Network Group (KSNG), the ceremony brought together over 100 people from the KNU, Karen CSOs, friends and family members. The ceremony includes a demonstration on Saw O Moo’s death, a screening of his documentary, eulogies, presentation on the current peace process, and prayer with candle lights.
Saw O Moo was from Ler Mu Plaw Village and he actively advocated for indigenous Karen’s rights, land and forest conservation, and preservation of literature and culture. He was survived by his wife and seven children.
The KESAN’s director Saw Paul Sein Htwar said a plan has been made to set up a foundation with donations from his friends and organizations to support his family for their livings and education.
