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Abstract

This paper examines the interfaces of local community based humanitarian organizations
with displaced Karen people in Thai-Burmese border spaces and their claims
for cultural rights. It argues that Karen people have to organize themselves in a context
where they do not have access to social welfare of the state and in which the state
is hostile and oppressive to them. Applying Merry’s thesis on the localization and
vernacularization of international rights frameworks in the local context, the paper
explores the context of power in which different humanitarian actors intervention in
the local conflict zone.
The author finds that Karen displaced people have differentiated access to humanitarian
assistance and that powerful organizations like the Karen National Union
are able to benefit while essentializing Karen culture and suppressing internal difference
among the Karen to position itself towards the international donor community,
thereby becoming “liked” or “preferred” refugees. The paper then also looks at
secular and faith-based local humanitarian groups and finds that these groups are
deeply embedded in local society and thus able to help effectively. Karen displaced
people thus create non-state spaces in border spaces by establishing partnerships
with local humanitarian organizations that act as brokers and mediators of international
organizations and donors.