AN OPEN LETTER TO THE THAI GOVERNME

[lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Date : March 14, 1998


                 "AN OPEN LETTER TO THE THAI GOVERNMENT 
                                  AND 
                     TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY"


The people of Mae Ya Hta refugee camp, in Mae Hong Son Province,
northern Thailand, have been refusing as ordered on Febuary 12th.

This order was given by the Thai Army together with Non-
Governmental Organisati0ns including the Burma Border Consortium
and MHD.

One hundred families from Klo Pa refugee camp were forcibly re-
located to the new location, Mae Ramu camp, on March the 2nd. The
majority of the former residents of Klo Pa refused to move and
are now living in the forest around the camp, or are in hiding in
Burma side of nearly the borderline.

The refusal of Mae Ya Hta and Klo Pa camps to move is based on
fears for their safety at the new camp. Mae Ramu is close to the
SPDC Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army base at Manerplaw.
Mae Ramu was attacked by the DKBA in 1995, so is clearly under
threat, especially after the DKBA's attack on Huay Kaloke camp on
March 11, 1998, which has heightened the security fear of
refugees on the Thai-Burma border. Some residents of Mae Ramu
have left the camp due to fear of attack. The residents are
trying to move back to Mae Ya Hta camp which has never been
attacked. There are also concerns about overcrowding and lack of
building materials at the new camp.

Trying to move back to Mae Ya Hta camp which has never been
attacked. 

The residents of Mae Ya Hta are now facing hunger and illness due
to the blocking of road access by the Thai Army troops are
refusing to allow any food or medical supplies to be brought to
the camp. No prior warning of this halt to supplies was given by
the army or by the NGOs responsible for sending supplies.

The publish and the other NGOs do not appear to be aware of this
blockade.

We ask the Thai Government and the international community to do
the following:

1. Stop the false accusations against refugees concerning illegal
teak logging and drug smuggling;

2. Halt the moving of refugees to areas which are not secure from
DKBA/SPDC attacking;

3. Give people from Burma, who have no choice but to the flee
their homeland official refugee status, rather than considering
them 'displaced persons;

4. Please, respect the human rights of these people, who are not
enemies of Thailand, by restoring access to food and medicine;

5. Help the people of Mae Ya Hta to live on harmony with the Thai
people;

6. We ask the Government to allow international organisation to
investigate the situation here.

Most urgently, we ask for help to restore the supply of food and
medicine, without which, we survive.


Yours Sincerely,

The People of Mae Ya Hta  

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