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Burma Refugee Crisis (r)



URGENT CALL TO ACTION

YOUR SUPPORT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED TO

1. Prevent the forcible repatriation of more than 100,000 Burma refugees
currently in    Thailand.
2. Persuade the authorities of Thailand to grant temporary asylum  to new
refugees fleeing    the current SLORC military regime's offensive in Karen
state.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

On March 11, Thailand's National Security Council announced its resolution
to repatriate all Burma refugees when the situation became "safe".  There
are at least 100,000 refugees currently camped in Thailand along its border
with Burma. It appears that Thai authorities have already begun preparations
for the mass repatriation.

These preparations are taking place at the same time that thousands of newly
arriving refugees (fleeing renewed attacks by the Slorc) are either being
prevented from entering Thailand or are being repatriated.  Those
newly-arrived refugees who were allowed to enter Thailand are now being told
that their repatriation is imminent.  They are being confined to camps
without adequate care, shelter or access to medical assistance.  The Thai
military refuse to recognize these people as refugees and are severely
limiting access by NGOs and relief agencies.

Foreign officials have been told that the Thai army will not send the
refugees back against their will, however, recent military activities on the
border contradict these assurances and give grave cause for concern that
this is indeed taking place.

The refugee communities are now in a state of extreme fear and anxiety.  It
is clearly unsafe for them to return to Burma.  The SLORC has tightened
security throughout Burma and has increased its harassment and violations
against the peoples of Burma.  Despite SLORC assurances that its troops will
not harm villages,  human rights organizations report that most homes were
looted in SLORC-occupied villages.  Many civilians have been forced to work
for the military as slave labor.  There have also been numerous instances of
rape and murder.  International organizations, including UN agencies, have
not received any indication that the Slorc intends to decrease its
oppressive campaign against ethnic nationalities, the democracy movement and
civilian citizens of Burma.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

PLEASE WRITE POLITE LETTERS TO:
1. Lodge your grave concern at the crisis
2. Seek the suspension of repatriation activities until
   a) the Slorc ceases violating the rights of  people in Burma
   b) the Slorc ceases to loot villages , and commit violence, including
rape and murder       upon villages
   c) the Slorc engages in tripartite dialogue with the democracy movement
led by Aung San       Suu Kyi and ethnic nationalities
   d) international relief and monitoring agencies are allowed into Burma as
well as the       Thai-Burma border areas without obstruction
   e) it is guaranteed that any repatriation can be implemented in full
accordance with       the standards if international practice.
3. Seek that the government of Thailand recognize the new arrivals as
refugees and accord    ALL refugees access to monitoring and aid agencies in
accordance with international    standards.
4. Emphasise that refugees will continue to be forced to flee their homes
until genuine    peace and justice is restored to Burma.

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

His Majesty King  Bhumibol Adulyadej
c/o the Royal Secretary
Fax: 66 2 225 8156 - 8, 225 3457
The Grand Palace
Phra Chan Road
Bangkok 10200
(Salutation: Your Majesty)
Note: It is traditional practice for people to seek the King's intervention
to resolve difficult crises and problems.  Please thank His Majesty for his
compassion and generosity in welcoming refugees in the past and call upon
him to continue exercising this compassion by intervening to alleviate this
crisis.

Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Fax: 66 2 281 4358, 280 1443
(Salutation: Dear Prime Minister)

The Secretary-General
National Security Council of Thailand
Fax: 66 2 280 1681
(Salutation: Dear Sir)

The Chairperson
Human Rights Committee, Parliament of Thailand
Fax: 66 2 244 1625 - 6
(Salutation: Dear Sir)

Your government's Foreign Affairs Ministry

The local representative office of the UNHCR

The Bangkok Post (Fax: 66 2 240 3666, email: postbag@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) and 

The Nation (Fax: 66 2 317 2071, email: editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)

If possible, please send a delegation your closest Thai diplomatic mission
to present a copy of your letter.  This would be an opportunity to focus
your local media on the issue.