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SITUATION IN MANEELOY CAMP(FORWARDE



Subject: SITUATION IN MANEELOY CAMP(FORWARDED)

Subject:         E-News blackout at the Safe Area
   Date:         Tue, 30 Nov 1999 22:52:13 -0500
   From:         Ken and Visakha Kawasaki <brelief@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
--------------------------------------
Burmese Students Centre
Moo 7 Ban Maneeloi, Tambon Wang Manao
Pak Tho, Ratchburi 70140
Thailand.


Press Release, 

Matters related to what could have been a massacre perpetrated by "Safe
Area" camp authorities

Date:    30 November 1999            
          
We, Burmese Students Association (BSA), would like to present the facts
of a series of episodes that could have developed into a massacre at the
BSC (Burmese Students Centre) which is located at Moo 7 Ban Maneeloi,
Tanbom Wang Manao, Amphur Pak Tho, Ratchaburi, south of Bangkok). 
Around 08:00p.m. on November 16, 1999.

In this regards, we have found that the responsible authorties of the
centre, the UNHCR, the Democratic Thai Government (DTG) headed by PM
Chuan Leekpai, have tended to cover up abuses of the students and that
they believe themselves able to carry out inhumane treatment of Burmese
student refugees taking sanctuary in Thailand with impunity.

We are afraid that, given their news-blackout policy, such inhumane
treatment might escalate and threaten the safety and even the lives of
asylum seekers who were involved in the Burmese pro-democracy movement
and fled to Thailand to escape persecution by the Burmese military. 

In this document, we want to reveal details of the events that were
misrepresented in the local news, the root causes of the problems and
the current security situation in the camp.  We would also like to urge
the concerned authorities to take relevant and proper action on these
issues.

I.  The following are important facts of the meeting between UNHCR
Regional Representative Mr. Jahanshah Assadi and student
representatives:

Date: 28 November 99
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 01:15p.m.

·        UNHCR did not make any request to the Royal Thai Government  to
take judicial action for 18 September accident in which 5 UNHCR staffs
were locked in their office.
 
·       UNHCR has continued financial assistance to those who have 
Person Of Concern status. 

·       Students should not blame  UNHCR for upcoming strict regulations
since these are based on DTG's policy.  Students should obey and respect
the Thai law because Thailand did not yet sign on Geneva Convention for
refugees. 

·       UNHCR requested student's full co-operation for UNHCR
activities. 

·       If one day payment is insufficient, two days for the payment
would be arranged and students should control themselves as a positive
gesture so that similar event of 18/10/99 could not recur in the centre.


II.  "The start of armed Thai security guards wearing uniforms in the
centre"

Date: 4 November 1999
Time: 09:00a.m. To 05:30p.m.

 To perform newly arranged activities, UNHCR staff for registration
leaded by Ms. Enna arrived at the camp on 09: 00 AM. Students
representatives leaded by Vice Chairman Shwe Hla representing Burmese
Students Association asked Ms. Enna,  in charge of registration, to
carry out the registration duty in accordance with  request of UNHCR
Regional Representative in the meeting with the BSA on 28/10/99.

During the meeting between Ms. Enna and the BSA, disagreements occurred
on both sides and the results of the meeting went nil. At 10: 30 AM
after meeting ended, the first armed group of 15 armed security guards
in uniform arrived at the centre.

Soon after that, they posted themselves 20 meter away around the
Ministry Of Interior Office.  At that point, BSA representatives led by
General Secretary Myat Thiha asked registration unit in charge Ms. Enna
as follow: 

Why are armed security guards going around the camp?  Such action would
invite risks and who has the responsibility to solve any upcoming
problems.  She said that she called in  security guards for her
security, and there was no problem with that and she is responsible for
this condition.  At the BSA's request, the armed guards retreated to
inside the MOI office compound. 

III.  The first sound of gunfire in the centre

Date: 15 November 99
Time: 00:25 AM.

All residents of the camp heard the sound of three gunshots, close
together.  Shortly afterwards, the news that shop owner Pi Chai
(nicknamed Jitti) had shot a camp resident, Than Min Oo, spread
throughout the camp.  In the road just outside the camp, police taking
security duty around the camp investigated the gunfire and apprehended
the gunman. Meanwhile a group of angry residents made noisy protest
against the shooting and demanded an immediate arrest of the gunman. 
Five minutes later, MOI authorities sent Than Min Oo who had been
wounded in his left thigh, to Pak Tho Hospital . Camp security officer
Mr. Chaiyapreuk Sawaengchareon and his group arrived at the spot and BSA
representatives briefly explained about the shooting.  The security
officer made an overture to the BSA to file the case at the police
station. Forty-five minutes later, the police officer together with
three witnesses went to the police station to place charges against the
gunman.

One hour later, the wounded student, Than Min Oo, was returned the camp.
Some TV stations and media arrived at the camp and interviewed Than Min
Oo @ Nga Pue and BSA representative Aung Htun  and the Thai shop owner.

Testifimony of the first witness

While Than Min Oo was kicking  a duck, Pi Chai, the Thai shop owner,
shouted "hay-hay" from the inside of his shop. Than Min Oo ran away from
site and Pi Chai shot him from inside his shop and followed him until he
arrived at the broken barbed wire fence of the camp and then fired two
more shots.  He asked me when standing near the camp fence "Who is that
runner?" and I resplied, "I have nothing to do with that."   Meanwhile,
two private cars, one police patrol car with signal light and a pick-up
car drove there and asked Pi Chai, "Who is shooting? "Khai Yimn", Pi
Chai answered, "Myself-myself" " "Phon Khup- Phon Khup!"  The policemen
both in plain clothes and in uniform got out of the cars and confiscated
the gun from Pi Chai's right armpit.

Testimony of the second witness 

I clearly heard the sound of three shots while asleep at the  room on
the ground floor.  I quickly got up and looked at the road where I saw a
man wearing only green short-pants who entered the camp through the
broken camp fence, and started looking for something in the bushes with
a torch-light in his hand  under the light of car front-light. When
noisy voices from camp residents prevailed, people from outside reminded
him to get out of the camp compound and then he quickly backed off.  
When he got back to the road, I realized he is "Pi Chai" and he put his
hands together and paid respects (the traditional Thai gesture of wai)
to some  uniformed policeman and two plain-clothes police who hold him
under his arms and take him to a table of his shop.  This is followed by
noisy protests from camp residents. 

Legal action by  the Thai police

Date: 15 November 99
Time: 02:30p.m.

Than Min Oo, with a gunshot injury, requested to MOI office to file
charges against the gunman at the police station.  Under the arrangement
of security officer Mr Chaiyapreuk , he went to Pak Tho police station
where he was arrested under a counter charge of alleged duck theft by
the shop owner's wife.  Further, he was charged with destroying the
police station's desk. 


IV.  UNHCR monthly allowance to centre residents for November

Date: 15 November 1999
Time: 10:00a.m. To 04:00p.m.

UNHCR representatives headed by Programme Officer Ms. Kathi Heart with
the aid of security guards handed out monthly stipends for the students
at the MOI office in the centre.


V.  Date: 16 November 99
Time: 01:00p.m. To 04:00p.m.

Ms. Ennui and Ms. Kathi Heart restarted allowance pay for students those
who did not receive their stipend on 15 November payment because of Ms
Usanee's complicated money account in which BSA chairman Thant Zin Htun
and Joint General Secretary (1) Aung Htun gave the helping hand in
solving for social problems, status problems and other allowance
problems.  Just before the end of the office time, a security guard took
his duty as doorkeeper for UNHCR staff.


VI.  Peaceful demonstration for unfair arrest by police and more gunfire

Date: 16 November 99
Time: 04:00p.m.

General Secretary of Overseas National Students Organization of Burma
(ONSOB) gave UNHCR officer a statement that there was going to be a
protest staged in the evening while taking monthly stipend at MOI
office.

At 04:00p.m. ONSOB staged peaceful demonstration 

ONSOB staged a peaceful protest in front of MOI office. About 05:00p.m.
they moved to the camp signboard near the gate-door and continued the
demonstration, shortly after that, they chatted with the village head of
Ban Maneeloi. Just at that moment, a resident named Ah Ba was beaten by
villagers while going out of the camp for buying cigarettes. Those who
beat to Ah Ba were ordinary Thai or servants.

At that time, former camp commander, now security officer, Mr.
Chanyapreuk was in sight.  Soon after that, Min Lwin told demonstrators
to stop the protest. protesters retreated and shouted the slogan " We
don't want 'Big pig' " (newest security officer Mr Chanyapreuk) when
they arrived in front of the MOI office. Meanwhile, the sound of
shootings (into the air) was heard at the centre, a reliable source
said.

Ten minutes after all demonstrators had returned to their living
quarters, the sound of continuous shooting was heard from the camp.  
The news of Min Lwin's injury in the head and of villagers' entering in
to the camp quickly spread throughout the camp. Some residents rushed to
camp's gate.  The sound of automatic machine guns was heard.  Some
shooting went into the air and some went towards the crowd and the crowd
shouted, " "Someone got hit!".  Nwe Aung was injured in his left leg by
the bullet of M 16 assaulted rifle, according to
the X-ray chart from Ratchaburi Hospital.

First, Medic Min Maung and others from BSA's health department gave
first aid to the wounded Nwe Aung at M 2 C room.  MOI authorities were
requested to send him to the hospital.   MOI authorities allowed
transportation to ferry the wounded resident to MOI office. The BSA vice
Chairman Shwe Hla tried to go with Nwe Aung to the hospital but the
authorities rejected that and permitted others to go to the hospital
instead.

Testimony of witnesses over the shooting and the Min Lwin case

Despite many differences in testimony by the residents including BSA
representatives, one thing is consensus that Nwe Aung was wounded in his
left leg by the bullets of two uniformed soldiers positioned in front of
the MOI office.

VII.  The outcome of the meeting between Ratchaburi Second governor and
BSA representatives

Date: 17 November 1999
Time: 10:00 to 11: 00 a.m.

Press Release

Burmese Students in Maneeloi Center held discussion with Thai
authorities on 16th November 

Shootings inside the camp.

On 16th November 1999, clashes between Thai soldiers and Burmese
students occurred after a series of shouts and protests by about 10 or
15 students. Students were calling for justice in the problem regarding
the alleged theft of ducks, committed by a student at a local shop
opposite the camp. The situation was turned to confusing stage that
students heard several rounds of gunfire. One student was injured by a
gunshot which came from the MOI office buildings that operate
administration of the camp. Eventually, student representatives
called for a serious dialogue to settle the matter peacefully. As a
result, student representatives and the Thai authorities led by Deputy
Governor of Ratchburi Province held a discussion on 17th November 1999.
Followings are the results of the discussion.

1.      Than Min Oo alias Nga Pyu, the student who was allegedly tried
to steal ducks and Pi Chai, local shop owner who followed the student
and shot him inside the camp, must be brought before justice.  Both have
the right to enjoy lawful procedures
 .
2.      The Ratchaburi Governor has made an order not to allow the
students to go out from the camp compound because local Thai people will
probably engage in unwanted clashes following the incident yesterday.

3.      Students and Thai soldiers have the right to press charges
against the persons involve if they wish so.

4.      Thai authorities has no intention to boost the size of security
that the present armed guards are for the protection for the students
from possible danger from the side of locals.

5.      The security of the centre provided by Thai government is in the
line with the international human rights norms.

6.      The barbed wire is to separate old and new comers.  It is
government policy.  Free crossing from and to old place and newly
building place in the centre anytime is guaranteed.  There is no
security at the barbed wire fence. The newly building place is not a
closed camp.  The Burmese Students Centre is only one.

7.      Student representatives said the situation has returned to
normal. But MOI officials did not presume that to be the case.

8.      The student representatives have agreed to cooperate with MOI
officials if there is any problem in the centre.  Another meeting
between MOI officials and student representatives is approved.

9.      Anyone who tries to disturb the duty of security guards will be
punished.  According to the village headman, villagers are still angry
and it is difficult to control them.

10.     MOI officials said the newcomer should take dry food for another
week because the plan for cooked food is not complete. 

11.     The student representatives will try to solve the future problem
first.  If a settlement can be reached, the MOI officials will take
legal action according to Thai law.  MOI officials know the majority of
the residents would like to live peacefully and under the Thai law.

News and Information Department 
    Burmese Students Association 
         Burmese Students Centre


(Note:  In the meeting the governor repeatedly warmed that any kind of
challenges or confrontations will lead to the perpetrators facing
serious troubles. Student  representatives repeatedly argued that
shooting should not be allowed inside the Burmese Students Centre)

Date: 23 November 1999
Time: 02:00 to 04:00p.m.

To take action for newcomers' demands, the representatives assigned by
the BSA made a meeting with camp MOI authorities.

In the meeting MOI authorities warned student representatives not to
carry out any activities that disturb the agreement between MOI and
UNHCR over next 50 newcomers who are going to enter the camp on 24
November 1999.

Date: 24 November 1999

50 newcomers entered the camp who have agreed to new policy of UNHCR 

VIII.  Discussion between Kattrine Huck and BSA representatives.

Date: 25 November 1999

Thant Zin Htun: Has UNHCR  any requests for armed security guards at the
centre?
Kattrine Huck:  It is Thai government's policy.  UNHCR everywhere in the
world carries out its activities according to regional laws. Burmese
students should respect the laws.  At the time being, you should be
careful, your activities can make the losing for yourself or all Burmese
refugees in Thailand.
Aung Htun:      What matter it has, we are dissatisfied in 16 November
lawless and arbitrary shooting.  UNHCR should intervene for refugees in
this issue.

"Conclusion" 
                       Students who tried to speak out the truth for the
safety of the lives of the residents are facing intimidation by Thai
authorities and end up in detention.  UNHCR, tasked with protecting and
assisting  refugee who fled their homeland due to their political belief
being suppressed has ended up giving additional trouble to those
refugees.  The problem originates from UNCHR's own workers'
weak-points.  These workers have marred the UNHCR image and betrayed its
main principles.  So we students would like to ask the international
community which respects human-rights to look into our situation, to be
aware of our vulnerability and to act to prevent such human-rights
violations as soon as possible.

Central Leading Committee
Burmese Students Association

 - - - - - - - 

Burmese Students Centre
Moo 7 Ban Maneeloi, Tambon Wang Manao
Pak Tho, Ratchburi 70140
Thailand.

Dear Saya,

I would like to request your help because we cannot deliver this
information from here.  Here, the authorities won't allow us to go out
side and won't allow us to use the Internet from Ratchaburi Town. 
Yesterday, we heard from the authorities that they went to Ratchaburi
and told the owner of the Internet Shop, "You are not to allow any
Burmese students to use the Internet." So I guess we will not send
information by the way of E-mail anymore. I hope that this information
will useful for you;  please post it for us.  
 
May the power of the Triple Gem help you and your family.

(name withheld)


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