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URGENT CALL TO ACTION!
- Subject: URGENT CALL TO ACTION!
- From: kya@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 03:46:00
>
>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.
>
>
>