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Burma Troops Hit Refugee (r)
> /* ---------- "Burma Troops Hit Refugee" ---------- */
> Subject : Burma Troops Hit Refugee Camps
>
> BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burmese troops stormed a refugee camp
> along the Thai-Burmese border Thursday, burned down 120 houses and
> used 40 residents as human shields in an attack on another refugee
> center, a relief source said.
***************************************************************************
Note: Following is a report compiled by me and distributed on early April
1994. In the light of recent SLORC's attack on refugees at
Thai-Burma border, the UNHCR and Royal Thai Government must again be
called upon to protect refugees. Please give your kind support to
this matter. This report is posted on the net first time and
may NOT REPOSTED on to soc.culture.burma and other public nets.
**************************************************
Action Proposal for Burma (Internal Communication)
**************************************************
Date: April 6, 1994.
To : reg.burma-l
==================================================
Call for Action:
----------------
To write letter to the,
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
Government House,
No 1. Phitsanuloke Road,
Dusit, Bangkok 10300,
Thailand.
Fax: 66 2 280 0858.
And please send copy to,
Ms Sadako Ogata,
UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
Case Postale 2500,
CH-1211 Geneve 2 - Depot,
Switzerland.
1) Please raise your concern for the plight of displaced Burmese people
in Thailand, with emphasis on the welfare, integrity of person and
other humanitarian concerns.
2) Urge the Royal Thai Government(RTG) to grant a temporary asylum to
all displaced Burmese people in Thailand. Encourage the RTG to solve
the Burmese refugee crisis in cooperation with UNHCR.
-------------------
General Information
-------------------
According to official sources,the total number of displaced Burmese
in Thailand is 420,000 [1] which actual number may be higher. The RTG
classify displaced Burmese into 3 categories:
(i) Burmese students(political refugees),
(ii) Displaced persons (ethnic refugees) and
(iii) Illegal immigrants(including Burmese prostitutes).
--------------------
(i) Burmese Students
--------------------
Mainly the students who participated in 1988 pro-democracy demonstrations
and then fled to ethnic rebel forces at Thai-Burma border.
The hardships in the jungles forced them to move further into Thailand.
The total number of them is reported as 2500[1]. These students are not being
recognized as `refugees' but rather as `persons of concerns to UNHCR'
which virtually receive no better protection than illegal immigrants.
In late 1991, the RTG has adopted a policy to accommodate all Burmese students
in the refugee camp in Ratchaburi province commonly known as `Safe Area'.
The students who registered with the Thai Ministry of Interior(MOI)
are permitted to go to this camp and UNHCR provide assistance.
However, most Burmese students have refused to go to the camp.
One of the underlying resons seems to be the forced repatriation of
328 Burmese refugees from the Tak province in January 1989. This incidence
took place just after an official visit of General Chavalit who,
then was Commander in Chief and now the Minister of Interior, returned
with fishing and logging concessions form Burma. Since then, the
bilateral relation between Thailand and Burma have been improving
and the two governments are working in close cooperations.
Therefore, the Burmese students in Bangkok have suspicions about
the RTG's offer, refuse to go to the `Safe Area', prefer
to keep low profile and stay as illegal immigrants.
--------------------
(ii) Ethnic Refugees
--------------------
The ethnic minorities(Karen, Mon and Karenni) have fled into
Thailand since 1984. Their camps scatter along Thai-Burma border
and total number is 70,000 [1]. Many of them are farmers, including
some family and close relatives of ethnic freedom fighters inside Burma.
The RTG recognize them as `displaced people', allow informal stay
on Thai territory and grant limited freedom of movement.
The RTG, however, do not allow the UNHCR to set up office to assist
these refugees camps. The NGOs from various church groups
provide humanitarian assistance to these refugees.
As the bilateral relation between Thailand and Burma continue to improve,
the RTG increase pressure on the ethnic refugees and especially
on the rebels operating along Thai-Burma border. In recent months,
the pressure was increased further on the ethnic rebels to make
ceasefire agreement with SLORC. The Mon refugees in particular
are forced to move camps and being pressured to return to Burma.
In March, the Mons protested against these measures which
appear to link with the construction of the gas pipeline
inside Mon ethnic rebel's territory [2].
------------------------
(iii) Illegal Immigrants
------------------------
Since 1988, people whose normal inhabitant is deep inside Burma are moving
towards Thai provinces adjacent to Burma. Their number significantly
increases after 1990-91 election crackdowns. Their main cause of flights are
the supporter of the opposition party, forced labour, unfair taxation
and bribery, the livelihood seriously disrupted by the Government's counter
insurgency campaign. These people are clearly the victims of gross and
persistent violations of human rights in Burma and who found life
is impossible under SLORC. The RTG classify these new comers as
`illegal immigrants'.
These new comers are not being absorbed by the ethnic refugee groups
whose camps are located along Thai-Burma border, a fact that highlights
the limited ability of NGOs to cope with new comers. These refugees
nevertheless found the Thai businesses as their rescue. These refugees
work at Thai businesses at substantially low wages and manage to
survive (daily wages of refugees is reported to be 50 baht/day ,
the national minimum wage in Thailand 132 baht/day, a daily newspaper
cost 12 baht)[2].
Since RTG classify these displaced people as `illegal immigrants',
these people are more vulnerable of abuse and exploitations.
Anyone who disobey or make protest at work will be fined
for illegal entry and then deported back to Burma.
The Asia Watch, for example, criticise this policy of RTG as the
one that maintain the compliance of refugees and encourage
the exploitations. Since last June, the local Thai authorities
allow these Burmese to register for entering Thailand (now official
total 350,000)[1]. At the same time, however, Thai authorities are
deporting them on a regular basis (see report on {\em Re:On the
deportation of Burmese refugees from Thailand}[4]).
-------------------
Burmese Prostitutes
-------------------
Thai businesses are not alone in exploiting the fear and vulnerability
of Burmese refugees. Such despicable act of exploiting the fear
of `being deported back to Burma' and the vulnerability of
`illegal immigrants in Thailand' has been thoroughly repeated upon
Burmese prostitutes by Thai pimps and underworld traffickers.
Details of Burmese women miseries who have been caught in the Thai
brothels are documented in the Asia Watch report `A Modern
form of Slavery: trafficking of Burmese women and girls
into brothels in Thailand'. Here is a short summary:
The young girls and women from Myanmar are `sold' to Agents at Thai
border towns. These girls are lured into Thailand by brokers inside Burma
but in some cases by the parents or relatives. The girl's family in return
receive `present' from the Agent who also promise works in Thailand
as waitresses, laundresses and house keepers. These girls are instead
brought into brothels as prostitutes. The brothel owner consider the
monies paid to the girls family as a `debt' owe to him. Being forced
to serve as prostitutes, these Burmese girls have been continually
transported from one brothel to another in order to have the `debt'
repaid. Inhumane working conditions as well as refusal to give medical
attention to Burmese prostitutes are common in these brothels. There
are numerous reports of forced miscarriage, physical abuses and
illegal confinements upon Burmese prostitutes. Abuses by Thai pimps
can not be reported to the police, since these girls are aliens and
prostitutes.
Some girls rescued by NGOs told that they had tried to run
away from brothel. However, since they cannot speak Thai or English and
have not had enough monies, the local Thais and police simply sent them back
to brothel owner. The only escape is the brothel being raided by police;
and these girls are detained in the Immigration Detention Centre
and then released upon paying fine for illegal entry to Thailand.
The inhumane working condition, combining with the condition of debt
bondage and impossibility to escape tantamount to slavery for these
girls, as Asia Watch have concluded.
----------
In Closing
----------
The reader may be able to notice now that a common fear for all displaced
Burmese - from political activists to prostitutes -is being deported
back to Burma. Unfortunately, this fear of refugees have been
exploited by the Thai businesses as well as brothel owners.
The RTG's attitude towards these displaced people is in no way
lacks sympathy or generosity. The RTG appear to be doing what
it can to help refugees and try to solve the problem.
However, the Burmese refugee problem has evolved into a major crisis
which evidently is of beyond the Thailand's capacity. The problem
is growing to become a threat to the regional security.
The international community must, therefore, be called upon to resolve
the Burmese refugee problem.
Since Thailand is not a party to the 1951 international conventions
relating to the Status of Refugees or to that of 1967 protocol,
the UNHCR can not assist these refugees in practice. The root cause
of the problem does boil down to the RTG in not respecting the
Civil and Political Rights that guarantee freedom to seek asylum
from persecution. However, the RTG is not alone in failing to
protect refugees and not having a consistent laws to deal with
unregulated population flows. Looking in a broader perspective,
these nearly half million displaced Burmese, at their best, are
being able to roam free on Thai soil and seek helps from
local Thai communities. It is therefore of opinion that we should not push
the RTG on human rights ground. Our concerns should appropriately
be raised upon the humanitarian ground. The UNHCR should be called
upon to protect all the displaced Burmese in Thailand and to assist
their temporary stay.
Although Thailand is not a signatory to the international conventions
relating to the Status of Refugees, the RTG can enact a special
legislation to protect refugees. The Vietnamese, Cambodian and
Laotian refugees, for example, have the United Nations' protection
under this special legislation known as `the Comprehensive Plan of
Action(CPA) for Indo-Chinese refugees' and get their repatriation organized
by UNHCR. The RTG should be called upon to enact a special legislation
which is similar to that of CPA and let the UNHCR handle the
affair of Burmese refugees.
Documents
---------
1. Far Eastern Economic Review, December 16, 1993.\\
2. The Nation, February 14, March 11, March 14, 1994.\\
3. V.O.A Broadcasts, March 17, March 25, 1994.\\
4. Discussion on soc.culture.thai, March 11, 1994.\\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
\documentstyle[12pt]{letter}
\textwidth=150mm
\textheight=240mm
\headheight=0cm \headsep=0in
\topmargin=2cm
\renewcommand{\baselinestretch}{1.0}
\begin{document}
\date{April 6, 1994.}
\begin{letter}{\sc {Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai\\Government House\\No. 1
Phitsanuloke Road, Dusit\\Bangkok 10300, Thailand.}}
\address{Dr. U Ne Oo\\C/O M. Craig\\48/2 Ayliffes Road
\\St. Marys SA 5042\\Adelaide, AUSTRALIA.}
\signature{(U Ne Oo)}
\raggedright
\parindent=0cm
\opening{Dear Prime Minister,}
\underline{RE: Comprehensive Plan of Action for Burmese Refugees in Thailand}\\
I am a Burmese national presently residing in Australia. I wish
to draw your kindful attention to the plight of displaced
Burmese people in Thailand. The total number of displaced
Burmese in Thailand is now close to 450,000. Apart from 2500
students who came from Rangoon, most of the displaced people are
farmers who fled to Thailand after their livelihoods were seriously disrupted
by the Myanmar Government's counter insurgency campaign. Since
displaced Burmese people were considered as illegal immigrants to Thailand,
the well-beings and personal integrity of these people are at stake.
I therefore appeal to you and the Royal Thai Government to
make initiatives to protect these displaced Burmese.
I am aware that the Royal Thai Government have been actively encouraging
the ethnic rebel groups to make cease-fire agreement with Myanmar Government
in order to improve the condition within Burma and also to reduce displaced
population flow. I morally support the Royal Thai Government try to
solve Burma's internal conflict and helping to improve the situation in Burma.
However, the internal conflicts in Burma as well as the problems
of displaced Burmese are far too complex and too large for the Royal Thai
Government to solve alone. I therefore urge you and the Royal Thai Government
to solve Burmese refugee problem in co-operation with United Nations and
international community. I appeal the Royal Thai Government to enact a
legislation similar to the `Comprehensive Plan of Action' for Burmese
refugees and resolve this crisis with the help of UN High Commissioner
for Refugees.
\newpage
In the light of the recent success of UNHCR in reaching agreement with
the Government of Myanmar for the repatriation of Muslim refugees in
Bangladesh and the possible dialogue between Myanmar Government and
Opposition Leader, it is plausible that displaced Burmese problem could
be resolved in a relatively short period of time. Therefore, a legislation
that provides enough time for UNHCR to organize repatriation will be
appropriate.
Finally, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you for hosting
the Nobel Peace Laureates' visit to Thailand last year. This event
has helped to raise awareness about Burmese people's struggle for democracy.
\closing{Yours faithfully and sincerely,}
copy to:\\
(1) Ms Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Case Postale 2500,
CH-1211 Geneve 2 - Depot, Switzerland.
\end{letter}
\end{document}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
\documentstyle[12pt]{letter}
\textwidth=150mm
\textheight=240mm
\headheight=0cm \headsep=0in
\topmargin=2cm
\renewcommand{\baselinestretch}{1.0}
\begin{document}
\date{April 6, 1994.}
\begin{letter}{\sc {H.E. Prasong Soonsiri\\Foreign Minister, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs\\Akarn Bangsalasom, 1 Sananchai Road, Rajavithi
\\Palatuang, Ted Tanakarn\\Bangkok 10200, Thailand.}}
\address{Dr. U Ne Oo\\C/O M. Craig\\48/2 Ayliffes Road\\
St. Marys SA 5042\\Adelaide, AUSTRALIA.}
\signature{(U Ne Oo)}
\raggedright
\parindent=0cm
\opening{Dear Minister,}
\underline{RE: Comprehensive Plan of Action for Burmese Refugees in Thailand}\\
As a Burmese national presently residing in Australia, I appeal
the Foreign Minister to arrange the protection for all displaced
Burmese in Thailand. In particular, I call upon the Royal Thai
Government to enact a legislation similar to `Comprehensive
Plan of Action' for Burmese refugees and to hand over the affairs
of refugees to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
We learn that the Royal Thai Government in recent years have
provided basic food and shelter and also have given protection
to over 1-million refugees from Cambodia and Laos with the
assistance of UNHCR. It is a relieving news to the international
community - thanks to the efforts of UNHCR; these
refugees have been successfully repatriated. This kind of
treatment to refugee is consistent with Thailand's image as a special
country on the world that uphold its principles in serving
humanity: protecting the weak and helpless, sharing resources with poor
and distressed. I have a good faith in you that you will arrange
to get a similar treatments for the Burmese refugees.
Regarding with Burmese refugees, I very much appreciate the Thai
communities in supporting displaced Burmese so far. I am also aware that
the Royal Thai Government have been encouraging the Government
of Myanmar and ethnic rebels to reach cease-fire in order to
improve the situation in Burma. However, Burma's internal conflicts and
underlying ethnic and political issues are extremely complex so that
one cannot solve easily. Furthermore, the Burmese refugee problem in
Thailand has evolved into major crisis situation which is of
beyond Thailand's capacity. I therefore urge the Royal Thai Government
to solve Burmese refugee problem in co-operation with United Nations.
\newpage
I am in support of your initiatives to invite Burma as a guest
to the forthcoming ASEAN ministerial meeting in July. It is a wise move
for ASEAN countries to bring Burma under their consolidations.
Although present Myanmar Government being an illegitimate one,
it is in my view that Burma as a country need to be in ASEAN and
the time is appropriate to prepare for the membership.
\closing{Yours faithfully and sincerely,}
copy to:\\
(1) Ms Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Case Postale 2500,
CH-1211 Geneve 2 - Depot, Switzerland.
\end{letter}
\end{document}