THAILAND/REFUGEES

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=3/13/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-211370
TITLE=THAILAND-REFUGEES (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:    

INTRO:  THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY 
INTERNATIONAL HAS CALLED ON THAILAND TO SHELVE REPORTED PLANS TO 
SEND ABOUT 100-THOUSAND REFUGEES BACK TO BURMA ONCE FIGHTING 
THERE ENDS.  THE GROUP SAYS IT IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT FORCED 
REPATRIATIONS OF SOME ETHNIC REFUGEES MAY BE CONTINUING.  VOA 
SOUTHEAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS.

TEXT:  IN A STATEMENT RELEASED THURSDAY, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 
SAYS AN END TO THE FIGHTING BETWEEN BURMESE TROOPS AND ETHNIC 
KAREN INSURGENTS WOULD  NOT  GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF KAREN WHO 
MIGHT BE SENT BACK TO BURMA. 

THE GROUP SAYS KAREN WHO ARE FORCED TO RETURN, MAY STILL BE 
SUBJECTED TO MISTREATMENT, OR EVEN EXECUTION, BY BURMESE TROOPS. 
AMNESTY ACCUSES BURMESE TROOPS OF WHAT IT CALLS "A CLEAR AND 
PERSISTENT PATTERN OF TORTURE, ILL-TREATMENT, AND EXTRAJUDICIAL 
KILLINGS OF KAREN CIVILIANS."

THE BURMESE ARMED FORCES HAVE BEEN ENGAGED FOR MORE THAN ONE 
MONTH AGAINST THE KAREN NATIONAL UNION, THE LAST MAJOR ETHNIC 
GROUP STILL FIGHTING FOR AUTONOMY FROM  THE GOVERNMENT IN 
RANGOON.  THOUSANDS OF KAREN HAVE FLED FOR SAFETY TO THAILAND.

THE THAI GOVERNMENT IS REPORTED TO HAVE DRAWN UP PLANS TO 
REPATRIATE ABOUT 100-THOUSAND KAREN REFUGEES TO BURMA ONCE THE 
FIGHTING IS OVER.

THAILAND HAS DENIED IT IS ALREADY FORCIBLY REPATRIATING SOME  
REFUGEES.  AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS IT IS "GRAVELY CONCERNED" 
THAT SOME FORCED REPATRIATIONS CONTINUE.  HOWEVER, THERE IS NO 
INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION OF THAT CHARGE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/GPT/SFT/FC CF

13-Mar-97 6:13 AM EST (1113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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