International Joint Statement (r)

[cd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

> Euro-Burmanet, Friends of Burma France, and Dawn Star endorses this
> statement. Please let me suggest that you include  somewhere .......KNU
> fourth brigade which operates in Burma's south-eastern Tenasserim
> district, close to the Unocal-TOTAL-PTT gas pipelines.
> 
> The important point is that the pipeline gas project is precipitating
> the Slorc offensive and refugee crisis. Both Thai(PTT), French(TOTAL), UK (Premier Oil) American (UNOCAL) oil and gas interests are MAJOR factors in the crisis and should bear the burden of responsibility.
> 
> Thank you, Dawn Star, Paris
http://www-uvi.eunet.fr/asia/euro-burma/total/

bagp@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> 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