Current Situation in the "Safe Area

[brelief@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Current Situation in the "Safe Area" and FMASA Appeal for  Assistance

Current Situation in the "Safe Area"
December 4, 1999

The Thai Ministry Of Interior has recently separated the camp into two
parts. The new arrivals are being placed in a separate section, isolated
from previous camp residents.  Unfortunately, the new arrivals are not
being provided adequate or appropriate food or shelter by UNHCR (Thailand).
 They are receiving dry rations only. 
There seems to be no consistency in UNHCR's policies toward refugees at
this time.  The UNHCR allowance for Burmese refugees (Persons of Concern)
is very confusing to the students.  Some of them receive one-month
allowance (about US $100.00 per month) before they enter the Safe Area;
others do not receive the allowance at all, but are only given an amount to
cover travel expenses from Bangkok to the Safe Area.  There is no clear
reason for this discrepancy in assistance provided.  The students are
without other means and thus are wholly dependent upon UNHCR.  
Because food distribution is carried out on a weekly basis, many new
arrivals, including families, women and children, have nothing to eat. 
The Safe Area was originally set up as an open camp, so in the past,
residents could easily go out in order to buy food items and daily
necessities at the shops outside the Safe Area between 8 AM and 6 PM. The
villagers in Maneeloi Village where the camp locates raise chickens, ducks
and vegetables for sale. In the last week, some residents shopping outside
the Safe Area were arrested and detained in the jail in Paktho, a town near
the Safe Area.  Some have been released,  but three of them are still being
held detention without charge, for no reason. 
Armed soldiers and camp security are deployed in the Safe Area.  They often
get drunk (that applies to the Camp Commander as well) and create problems
with the students.  Drinking by camp security and soldiers led to last
month's shootings in the Safe Area, where several students were wounded. 

Last week, the Camp Commander attempted to intimidate the refugee Buddhist
monks, who are unofficially residing in the Safe Area.  At least the monks
are being cared for by residents in the safe area but ordinary lay people
who have applied for refugee status, or those who are awaiting their
appeals, and yet others who have been declared "border cases" are now
helpless in the Safe Area.  They can neither get assistance from UNHCR nor
can they leave the Safe Area to facilitate their cases.  They are unable
even to sneak out of the Safe Area for their interviews. 

The necessity of being in the Safe Area should be obvious, since "open
season" has been declared on Burmese without passports in Thailand and they
are being arrested and deported wholesale.

Even the legal residents in the Safe Area are not being given traveling
documents to enable them to safely go to their interviews at the embassies
of countries of resettlement (so-called third countries.)   Until recently,
residents had every right to ask for traveling document which were granted
as a matter of course.)
Response of the students 
The residents of the Safe Area have formed a committee of five which has
discussed matters of concern with Ministry Of Interior and UNHCR officials.
The committee has demanded 
1. That new residents be given rights equal to those enjoyed by the
previous residents since all are Persons of Concern, that is, having the
status of political refugees. (Who should be given adequate food and shelter) 
2. That arrested camp residents be released immediately 
3. That armed soldiers and armed security deployed in the Safe Area be
immediately withdrawn for residents safety. 
4. That the policy providing for an allowance for new arrivals be clarified
and made fair.
5. That appropriate travel documents be provided for residents going to
embassies for their resettlement interviews 
UNHCR's response was extremely disappointing, with the person in authority
angrily refusing to accept the students' key points with insulting words.
The students did not understand why they got that imappropriate reply from
UNHCR. They honestly believe that UNHCR will provide necessary assistance
and sympathy given the current situation.


An Appeal  from FMASA 

FMASA requests outside help in order to provide: 
1. necessary food supplies for the new comers 
2. food for the border cases, appeals and those under process of
consideration now staying in the Safe Area 
3.  to meet communication expenses (phone, fax, email, etc.)

New arrivals in the Safe Area who are not yet receiving rations or
allowances: 166 people
Border cases, appeals and under consideration: 35 people
Total number needing assistance: 201 


Estimated Expense to provide food in the Safe Area
Daily Expense for food US$ 100.00 
(approx. US$ 0.50 to US$ 1.00 per person per day, varies according to age,
health needs etc.) 
Expense for a month US$ 3000.00 
Transportation and communication (for a month): US$ 100.00
TOTAL EXPENSE FOR ONE MONTH US$ 3100.00
Any financial assistance will be greatly appreciated.  

For further details and for how to help, please contact: 
Burmese Relief Center? USA
<brelief@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Note: At present FMASA officers are collecting donations from other Safe
Area residents (more than a thousand are helping) and distributing these
foodstuffs to the approximately two hundred people in need.
Unfortunately, this is becoming more difficult because of increased
surveillance in the camp.


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