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Refugee Rights Vigil



CANADIAN VIGIL HONOURS BORDER CAMP VICTIMS

VANCOUVER, April 4 (Burma News - BC)

Over 200 people gathered at a candlelight vigil, Friday evening, in front
of the offices of the UNHCR in Vancouver's Library Square in a show of
solidarity with the victims of recent attacks on camps at the Thai-Burma
border.  The vigil, called by the Canadian Karen Community of British
Columbia, took place on the eve of Refugee Rights Day, an occasion
celebrated in cities across Canada to focus attention on refugee protection
issues.

Following a colourful procession around the square led by the Karens, the
meeting heard from representatives of refugee rights groups and leaders of
the local Karen and Burmese exile communities.

A Vancouver representative of the UNHCR was on hand to receive a Letter of
Concern addressed to the High Commissioner by the CKC-BC.  In the letter
the Karen group urged the UNHCR to press for more adequate protection for
the refugees at the border.  Issues touched upon included removal of the
camps to a safe distance from border area, full recognition of the refugee
status of those living in the camps and strict adherence to a policy of
non-refoulement by Thai authorities.

East Vancouver's member of Parliament, Libbie Davies, was also present at
the Vigil to receive a Letter of Concern addressed to Canada's foreign
minister, Lloyd Axworthy.  In the letter the Karens asked the Minister what
steps he would be taking to follow up on his recent condemnation of the
attacks on the camps.  Ms Davies praised the organizers of the Vigil and
promised to pursue the matter with the Minister.

An offering for the relief of victims of the border attacks was received.

The Vigil also heard from a representative of the Southern Sudanese
Association of Greater Vancouver who told of the bombing of refugees in
northern Uganda and acute food shortages facing refugees and internally
displaced persons from his country.