International Joint Statement

[bagp@xxxxxxxxxx]

Yvette Mahon Burma Action Group Collins Studios Collins Yard
Islington Green London N1 2XU

Tel: 44 171 359 7679 Fax: 44 171 354 3987 E-mail: bagp@xxxxxxxxxx


Date: 27/2/97 For immediate release Joint Statement -
International Burma support groups call for the immediate
protection of Karen refugees

Karen refugees fleeing fighting in the Minthamee area, Tenasserim
Division in Burma, are not being guaranteed refuge on Thai soil.
Acting upon orders by the Commander of the 9th division of the
Thai army, Karen civilians fleeing conflict and human rights
abuses committed by the SLORC ( State Law and Order Restoration
Council ) in the Karen National Union's 4th Brigade area, have
been forcibly repatriated back into Burma.

Upon arrival on Thai soil, male refugees, most of whom are not
soldiers and some of whom are under the age of ten, have been
immediately repatriated into the conflict area. Women and children
have been allowed into Thailand but have since been rounded up by
Thai authorities and are  being sent back to Burma through a "safe
corridor". Many dispute the security of this "safe corridor".
Refugees are clearly being repatriated into an active war
situation in order to prevent a 'refugee situation' in this area
of the Thai -Burma border.

With SLORC's continued offensive and the recent fall of the KNU's
4th Brigade stronghold, thousands of civilians will continue to
seek refuge in Thailand. Yet it is now unknown whether they will
be allowed to cross the border, considering this latest action by
the Thai authorities.  Karen civilians who are prevented from
seeking refuge in Thailand or who are forcibly returned to Burma
are at considerable risk of being taken as porters and human mine
sweepers by SLORC troops. There are numerous incidents of rape and
ill-treatment of women. Villagers are  arbitrarily executed if
they are thought to be linked with the KNU.

We an international coalition of groups and organisations working
for democracy and human rights in Burma, deplore the forced
repatriation of Karen civilians by the Thai authorities which is
in direct violation of international law.

We call on the United Nations and our respective governments to
immediately communicate to the Thai government, their insistence
that all refugees be protected, including male civilians, and that
no Karen civilians be forcibly repatriated into Burma.

We call upon the Clinton Administration, the Canadian government
and the European Union to impose economic sanctions on Burma as a
matter of urgency. We also call upon the European Union to
withdraw immediately, without further procrastination,
preferential market access for Burmese industrial and agricultural
goods into the European market. The Canadian government should
further consider the immediate suspension of  Burmese garment
imports into the country.

We urge all those concerned for the welfare of the refugees to
hold demonstrations in front of Thai embassies and consulates,
calling for the Thai government to protect the refugees.

Signed by:

Canadian Friends of Burma Burma Action Group UK Burma Action
Ireland Association Suisse-Birmanie Society for Threatened
Peoples, Germany Fractures/Reseaujeunes Solidaires, France Burma
Centrum Netherlands Norwegian Burma council Anti-Slavery
International Karen Youth Organisation-Canada Seattle Campaign for
a Free Burma L.A Campaign for a Free Burma Burma Forum, USA Bay
Area Burma Roundtable, USA Burma UN Service Office, USA Asia
Pacific Centre for Justice and Peace Burmese Relief Center-Japan
Buddhist Peace Fellowship, USA Free Burma Coalition, USA