URGENT CALL TO ACTION!

[kya@xxxxxxxxxxx]

>
>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.
>
>
>