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peaceful demo in Ratchburi camp



Peaceful demonstration in Ratchaburi "safe area"

Burmese students in Ratchaburi "safe area" peacefully held a demonstration
against the discriminatory action by the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) Bangkok. Students refused to accept their monthly
allowance by the UNHCR representative on their monthly payday claiming that
they are being discriminated under the different classes of Burmese refugees
under the UNHCR status. 

UNHCR office in Bangkok has increased the monthly allowance to the Burmese
student refugees from 2,500 Baht to 3,000 Baht per month for last two
months. However, UNHCR has failed to increase the monthly allowance to the
student refugees who are residents of the safe area. UNHCR previously said
the students in the "safe are" are being provided food and lodging by the
Thai Ministry of Interior since it has been established. These students are
recognized by the UNHCR Bangkok office as persons of concern, and have been
allowed to reside in the "Safe area" by the Thai MOI while they are staying
in Thailand or waiting for the resettlement in third countries. Many others
are hiding in Bangkok with UNHCR assistance before they get permission to
enter the camp.

" We are demonstrating not because our allowance is not increased, but
because we can't accept the discriminatory acts by the UNHCR. UNHRC is
practicing the discriminatory practices against the Burmese students
applying for the refugee status such as border case, " said Aung Htun,
Chairman of the Burmese Student Association (BSA), an organization founded
by the students residing in the Ratchaburi camp. Border case means that
person is recognized as the refugee but not provided by the financial or
other health assistance by the UNHCR.  Many students are classified as
border case by the UNHCR with claiming that they could go back to the border
and stay there without any problems.

Students in the camp still refused to take their monthly allowance unless
the UNHCR Bangkok office Chief come and see them at the camp. The UNHCR
representatives went back to Bangkok and promised to report to his Chief.

The camp commander has not interfered the peaceful demonstration, but he has
ordered the guards to take security measure to in the camp.