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Urgent Appeal: Burma



November 19, 1999
Urgent Appeal: Burma

The Asia Pacific Center for Justice and Peace is gravely concerned about
the Thai government's forced repatriation of Burmese immigrants since the
beginning of this month.  There have been reports that several of
immigrants forced to leave have been killed and raped.  A release from the National
Council of the Union of Burma states:

"On the Burma side, the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council), instead of welcoming them, shot them to kill, and secretly execute them? At present, there are hundreds of thousands of Burmese workers, who have to hide in the jungles, facing starvation."

We appeal to the government of Thailand to delay the process of immediate and forceful repatriation on humanitarian grounds. We urge Thailand to seek consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand before conducting this process as the situation in Burma does not seem favorable for returnees.
The current military junta, the State Peace and Development Council(SPDC), is waging a 50 year-long chronic civil war against ethnic groups such as Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, and Shan State Army- South.  During their seasonal offensives, civilians in villages face forced labor (as porters), rapes, extrajudicial killings and torture by SPDC's troops.  In June of this year, after an extensive investigation, the International Labor Organization acknowledged the widespread use of forced labor in Burma.  Many people fled to neighboring countries such as Thailand to avoid being used as porters in offensives.
For the past eleven years since 1988 military crackdown in Burma, Thailand has been a sanctuary for elements of the Burmese democracy's movement.  We appreciate Thailand's support and the humanitarian assistance given through out these years.  We appeal to the government of Thailand to continue its support and to consult with UNHCR to screen immigrants who may have legitimate claim to refugee status.  Finally, we condemn the SPDC for these inhumane actions against its own citizens.
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Asia Pacific Center for Justice and Peace
110 Maryland Avenue, N.E.  Box 70
Washington, D.C. 20002
Tel: 202-543-1094
Fax: 202-546-5103
E-Mail: apcjp@xxxxxxx
Web: www.apcjp.org