Karenni State was an UNPO member between 1993 and 2012.  

The people of Karenni State have long sought recognition of their political rights, self-determination, and cultural preservation within the Union of Myanmar. Historically, Karenni State was recognised as an independent territory but it was incorporated into Burma after independence in 1948. Since then, the Karenni have faced decades of armed conflict, militarisation, and displacement resulting from tensions between ethnic resistance groups and the central government. 

Key issues include restricted political representation, land confiscation, and human rights violations linked to military operations. The civil population has endured widespread displacement, particularly since renewed fighting after the 2021 military coup, when large parts of Karenni State became active conflict zones. Reports indicate forced conscription, extrajudicial killings, and destruction of villages, driving tens of thousands into neighbouring regions and across the Thai border. 

Within UNPO, Karenni State was represented by Karenni Independence Through Education (KITE) and have worked to raise awareness of self-determination, peaceful conflict resolution, and the protection of civilians and cultural heritage. They advocated for greater international attention to humanitarian needs and for inclusion of ethnic minority voices in any future democratic or federal framework for Myanmar.

The Karenni, also known as the Kayah people, along with related sub-groups such as the Kayan, Bwe, Geko, and Paku, inhabit the mountainous region of eastern Myanmar known as Karenni State. Language is a core marker of belonging. The Karenni speak several dialects grouped under Kayah Li, which serve not only as means of communication but as a symbol of community cohesion and ethnic identity. Rituals and festivals play a key role in maintaining cultural continuity. The annual Kay Htoe Bo festival, during which communities erect a symbolic bamboo or teak pole adorned with stars, moons, and rice grains, reinforces social bonds and celebrates the agricultural cycle. Traditional dress, such as the distinctive red garments of the Kayah and the neck rings historically worn by some Kayan women, further expresses communal belonging and cultural heritage. Religious life is diverse, encompassing Christianity, Buddhism, and animist traditions. Across faiths, communal gatherings, rites of passages, and respect for elders remain central to social cohesion. Even amid displacement and conflict, Karenni diaspora communities maintain cultural practices through ceremonies, educational initiatives, and community organisations, ensuring that language, rituals, and traditions persist even outside the homeland. 

Karenni State, located in eastern Myanmar along the border with Thailand, is home to the Karenni and related sub-groups. Historically, the region consisted of small semi-autonomous principalities that maintained local rule under shifting Burmese and colonial administrations, preserving customary governance, language, and social structures. 

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the British recognised the Karenni principalities as semi-independent under colonial suzerainty, allowing local leaders to administer their own affairs while nominally acknowledging Burmese sovereignty. This arrangement helped maintain Karenni cultural and political distinctiveness, even as surrounding areas were incorporated into larger administrative structures. 

Following Myanmar’s independence in 1948, the Karenni people faced increasing centralisation from the national government. Promises of autonomy were largely unfulfilled, and tensions over land, governance, and cultural rights grew. Armed resistance emerged in the late 1940s and 1950s, led by Karenni militias seeking to defend local control and protect their communities from military incursions. The Karenni region has since endured prolonged conflict, particularly between government forces and ethnic armed groups. Villages have been subject to forced relocation, land confiscation, and restrictions on language or cultural expression. During periods of military campaigns and internal displacement, many Karenni fled to Thailand or other areas, while diaspora communities sought to preserve cultural traditions abroad.