Statement of KSNG (r)

[76613.2262@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Statement of the Karen Student Network Group (KSNG)
Regarding the Present Situation of Karen Refugee Camps
February 1, 1997

The Karen Student Network Group (KSNG) is deeply concerned about the attacks on
three Karen refugee camps in Thailand by a State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC) backed armed groups.  The three refugee camps are Huaykaloke
(Wankha), Huaybone (Don Pa Kiang) and Mae La (Baeklaw) camps which situated
along the Thai border with Burma.  

Despite reports in Thai media that Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army (DKBA) is
responsible for the attacks, the KSNG is convinced that the attacks also
included SLORC soldiers, by conducting numerous interviews with refugees from
Huaykaloke camp. The Burmese military regime is thereby once again proving
itself a threat to regional security in Southeast Asia. 

The present situation in the camps is critical due to the lack of security and
the lack of education for over 3,200 students in the three attacked camps-
Huaykaloke, Huaybone and Maela.  Together those camps house more than 36,000
Karen refugees.  The refugees in camps are affected daily by the physiological
warfare conducted by the SLORC and DKBA through threats of repeated attacks on
the camps, kidnapping of the refugees and forcing of the refugees back to Burma
by gun point. The refugees in the three affected camps are now staying outside
in the surrounding jungles at night, fearing a repeat of the violent acts that
were committed by the intruders. 

We the Karen Student Network Group

-  regard that the intrusion of Karen refugee camps inside Thai territory by
armed groups controlled by State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
violates the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Thailand;

-  regard the attacks of Karen refugee camps by armed groups controlled by SLORC
is a violation of international laws;

-  strongly condemn the ruthless attacks and lawless activities on innocent
civilian refugees by those armed intruders backed by the SLORC;

-  urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Thai
authorities and the international community to ensure increased and adequate
protection of the approximately 80,000 Karen refugees, as well as Karenni, Shan
and Mon refugees along the Thai-Burma border.

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For further information, please contact:

In the US:  Naw Shar Loo at  (805) 322-0739
Karen Student Network Group