Kachin groups urge Suu Kyi to ‘speak out’

Reflecting disappointment in Aung San Suu Kyi’s statements on fighting in Kachin State, a group of 23 Kachin organizations have issued a public letter calling for her “to speak out about the abuses being committed against our people.”

Refugees in Kachin State in northeast Burma at a KIO camp, where displaced persons are in need of more aid including food, medicine and shelter material. Photo: Mizzima

“If you were to speak out, the international community would listen, all the people of Burma regardless of ethnicity or religion will stand up for the wholesale principles of democracy and human rights,” said a letter released on Thursday.

“As a renowned champion for human rights, by not condemning the abuses in Kachin State you are not only condoning the state-sanctioned violence, but you exemplify to the masses in the country that the notion of conditional human rights is tolerated,” the letter said.

The letter cited Suu Kyi’s comments at the London School of Economics in Britain in June 2012, “when you stated that there was a need to establish the facts of the root cause of the Kachin conflict.”

“Further, in your meeting with the Burmese Community in the USA on 22nd September, you stated: ‘Basically, what is it that I have to strongly condemn? If it is a human rights violation as well as any acts of breaching the rule of law then I will strongly condemn.’”

The letter said, “You are yet to take a stance on the human rights abuses taking place in Kachin State; your statement, combined with the comments you made at the LSE gives the impression to the people of Burma and international community that you do not believe human rights abuses are taking place.

The letter continued: “Many international human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch, and international media including the BBC have reported and verified that heinous abuses are committed against the Kachin population by the Burmese army."

In March 2012, the United Nations Special Rapporteur stated he had reports of: “…attacks against civilian populations, extrajudicial killings, internal displacement, the use of human shields and forced labour, and the confiscation and destruction of property. He has also received reports of gang rapes by army soldiers, although the numbers provided by different sources vary," said the statement. “In the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, it was noted that as many as 32 women and girls throughout Kachin State were allegedly raped by the military between June and August 2011.”

The letter invited Suu Ky to visit the Mai Ja Yang refugee area, where the majority of the displaced people are protected by the Kachin Independence Organization.

“You will be able to hear directly from the victims about the human rights abuses that have been committed against them. You will see for yourself the suffering caused by the Burmese government’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid into these areas. As you often refer to your father General Aung San in your political speeches, we do hope that you uphold his promise for the Union of Burma where all ethnic people including Burman will be equal,” said the letter.

It continued: “As an elected MP and daughter of General Aung San, talk of ‘unity’ while staying silent on the suffering of the ethnic masses will only polarize the country further.

"All of those who believe in the cause of human rights and democracy in our country must work together. We must all make efforts to restore trust, and therefore in the spirit of Panglong we extend this invitation to you. You are now able to travel all over the world and speak openly to large audiences… We have trust in you that you will recognize the urgency and importance of this request and not refuse the invitation.

“The government of Burma broke the 17 year-long cease-fire in June 2011 to annex Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) controlled areas. From this time, the Burmese army has not only launched full-scale war against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) but also committed genocide and other heinous human rights violations deliberately attacking innocent civilians. The direct military actions by the Burmese army in a clear violation of Geneva Conventions have resulted in the forced displacement of 100,000 Kachin civilians to date.

“Human rights abuses committed by the Burmese army against our people include rape and gang-rape against women and even children, the elderly and disabled; killing many victims of sexual violence; arbitrary executions; torture; mutilations; beatings; forced labour; mortar bombing and burning of villages; looting of villages and other thefts; and use of child soldiers many of which constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Given the climate of violence, fear and suffering our people are enduring everyday, it is disheartening not to hear you speaking out against injustice for those who have been forcibly silent, instead you declared you have a soft spot for Tatmadaw that your father founded, the very institution that is responsible for such miseries.

“As you and your fellow parliamentary members are well aware, the government of Burma is not providing emergency relief and is refusing to allow the free delivery of humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of internally displaced people in direct and open violation of international law.

“In your position as chair of the Lower House of Parliament’s Rule of Law Committee you have the power to initiate and the responsibility to minimize the immense suffering of Kachin IDPs that includes women and young children who are suffering from malnutrition and other illnesses without sufficient medical or education facilities,” said the letter.

Signed by

1. All Kachin Students and Youth Union (AKSYU)
2. Kachin Canadian Association
3. Kachin Women's Association Thailand (KWAT)
4. Kachin National Organization (KNO)
5. Kachin Association of Australia (KAA)
6. Kachin Centre-Thailand
7. Kachin Refugee Committee- Malaysia (KRC)
8. Kachin National Organization (KNO-Japan)
9. Kachin National Organization (KNO-Denmark)
10. Kachin Christian Fellowship (KCF-Denmark)
11. Kachin National Organization (KNO-USA)
12. Kachin National Organization (KNO-United Kingdom)
13. Kachin National Organization (KNO-India)
14. Kachin National Organization (KNO-Malaysia)
15. Kachin National Organization (KNO-Australia)
16. Kachin Community in United Kingdom
17. Kachin Community in Sweden (KCS)
18. Kachin Community in Netherlands (KCNL)
19. Kachin Association Norway
20. Kachin Alliance (USA)
21. Pan Kachin Development Society (PKDS)
22. Queensland Kachin Community
23. Singapore Kachin Community

Kachin to hold US rally at UN headquarters

Kachin in the US will hold a rally in New York City to urge President Thein Sein to address the humanitarian crisis faced by the Kachin ethnic group and to seek UN intervention and assistance.
 

A view of the UN building in New York City. Photo: UN

The Kachin community in the US said it is deeply concerned that the civil war being waged in the Kachin region in northeast Burma along the Burma-Sino border has continued since the resumption of hostilities in June 2011, claiming thousands of lives and sending refugees throughout the area to seek safe shelter.

Thein Sein is scheduled to address the 67^th UN General Assembly on Thursday.

The fighting has “caused untold miseries to tens of thousands of our kinsmen,” said a statement released on Thursday. “Our friends and family members have been forced to flee homes and villages, and are in dire need of the most basic human needs.

“They are living in constant fear and uncertainty, driven back into conflict zones from camps along the China border, and experiencing the violation of their rights even in the sanctity of church-run camps in government-controlled territory,” it said, adding that ethnic residents of the area face harassment, interrogation and arbitrary detention

The rally is organized by the Kachin Alliance, a network of Kachin communities and organizations in the US.

A statement called for the free flow of humanitarian aid to Kachin refugees along the Burma-China border, and an end to the war by implementing a peaceful resolution through political dialogue.

It also asked the UN to send personnel to observe the current crisis, to facilitate a free flow of humanitarian aid along the Burma-China border, and to facilitate a process leading to a peaceful resolution.

China forces return of Kachin to Burma: Rights group

China has been accused of forcibly returning at least 4,000 ethnic Kachins to a conflict zone in northern Burma.

Landmark in Rangoon, Burma (Credit: ABC) 

Human Rights Watch has written to the foreign ministry in Beijing complaining that the forced returns were carried out without providing the Kachins with a process to determine their claims for refugee status.

Human Rights Watch says that rather than honouring international law on refugees, it appears the Chinese government wants to rewrite the rules.

Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, told Radio Australia's Connect Asia it was not safe for the Kachin to return.

"There's been increased offences by the government and we're quite concerned that these people are being sent back into conflict zones," he said.

Despite many of them being in China for the past year he said the Kachin have not been given access to the UN's refugee agency.

"They should have been received and provided temporary protection including basic assistance, food, medical supplies, but importantly they should have been allowed to have access to UNHCR," he said.

Human Rights Watch has interviewed many of the Kachin and says they simply want asylum until it is safe to return to their home villages.

"These are not people who want to stay long term in China, and they all said that," he said.

And he said the refugee convention was under threat in the Asia-Pacific from states that have either not ratified or do not observe their obligations.

"Well unfortunately it seems to be the refugee convention and the standards it provides are under attack by many different governments in the Asia-Pacific region, including governments like China and Australia who've ratified the convention."

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Burma must end Kachin war to show sympathy for refugees

  By Zin Linn

Burma's quasi-civilian government has erased two sons of Aung San Suu Kyi from a blacklist that a long time ago banned them from coming into the nation, President's official website said Thursday. A list of 2,082 Burmese (Myanmar) nationals and foreigners, including Suu Kyi's sons  Alexander and Kim Aris, and her late husband Michael Aris, was declared on President Thein Seins official website.

Moreover, distinguished Swedish journalist/writer Bertil Lintner, Australian journalist Phil Thornton, American Freelance Journalist Steve Hirsch, AP's Bangkok Bureau Chief Denis Gray and many more Burma-related journalists were also on the current non-black list.

However, the news on cancellation of black-listed people by Burmese government may not overwhelm the reports about rampant civil war in Kachin State.

Since May 14 Heavy battles continued rampant across Kachin land between Kachin Independent Army and Burmese government's armed forces. KIA's 10th Battalion under 1st Brigade has fought against Burmese Army's 382nd LIR between Hpare village and Wa Chyawn village KIA sources say 10 Burmese soldiers were killed in action during this encounter, according to Kachinland News.

The civil war between Kachin Independence Army and government armed forces has become more ruthless since daily warfare spreads out even in former peaceful areas. Behind the scene of reforms, government's soldiers have systematically stepped up its offensive war to a new level, quoting a local Kachin political observer, Kachin News Group (KNG) said.

Fighting has heaped on in jade-land Hpakant Township and as a result over 10,000 civilians have been added up to existing 80,000 internally displaced persons. Local villagers fleeing from battle zones have flooded Church compounds and monasteries in Hpakant and Seng Tawng city.

There are about 30,000 IDPs in Burmese government controlled areas and about 60,000 IDPs are currently taking refuge in KIO controlled areas. Several hundreds of civilians continue escaping their native places because of scared of bullets, bombs, forced labors, rape, tortures and violence.

In a recent Burma Army offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Hpakant Jade Land, at least 30 government soldiers were killed. Heavy combating proceeded for over five hours in the area between Seng-Ja-Bum Mountain and the Gwi-Hka jade mine, said a KNG reporter in the jade mining region.  There were no KIA casualties in the fighting, according to KIA's 6th Battalion source.

As reported by KNG reporter on 29 August, skirmishing between the government troops and the KIA has been going on in two mining villages of Maw-Mau-Bum and Myauk-Hpyu in Hpakant.  Some civilian homes were burnt by shelling from the Burmese soldiers, said eyewitnesses.  Fighting had occurred in the area since 27 August.

On 29 August, government troops ordered the evacuation of 11 jade mining villages in Hpakant, said people in the jade mines. Government troops instructed residents and miners to gather all belongings and leave immediately. 

The announcement was broadcasted over loudspeakers in jade mining villages, such as Maw Mau Layang, Maw Mau Bum, Nba La Hka, Tawng Phyu, Myawk Pyu, Sharaw Hka, Seng Ja Bum, Mana Maw, Kalaw Maw, Pyi Chawng, and Maw Wan Kalay, according to miners. Since this morning, hundreds of miners and native Kachin residents have begun returning home from the evacuation.

According to the local eyewitnesses, the Burmese army has cruelly attacked Kachin villages, destroyed homes, looted properties, and forced the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Soldiers have threatened and tortured civilians during interrogations and raped women. The army has also used anti-personnel mines. It continues recruiting forced laborers, including immature children on the front lines.  

Recently, HRW called China to stop its forced returns of thousands of ethnic Kachin refugees to northern Burma, where they are at risk of Burmese army abuses, and lack of aid.   

"China is flouting its international legal obligations by forcibly returning Kachin refugees to an active conflict zone rife with Burmese army abuses," said Bill Frelick, Refugee Program director. "China should urgently change course and provide temporary protection for the refugees in Yunnan Province."

There are over 85 camps of internally displaced people in Kachin State, housing an estimated 75,000 people, who lack adequate humanitarian aid. Approximately 16 of the camps, in KIO-controlled areas, are already home to at least 55,000 Kachin, and there are food shortages at some of those sites.

In June, Human Rights Watch released a 68-page report, "Isolated in Yunnan: Kachin Refugees from Burma in China's Yunnan Province," estimating that 7,000 to 10,000 Kachin refugees and asylum seekers were in squalid, improvised camps in Yunnan that were largely isolated from international humanitarian aid due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities. Most of the refugees had fled wartime abuses in Burma such as forced labor, killings, rape, and torture by the Burmese army, or the threat of abuses. 

Source : http://www.opednews.com

China Forces Ethnic Kachin Refugees Back to a Conflict Zone in Myanmar’s North

KATMANDU, Nepal — The authorities in southwestern China are forcibly evicting thousands of encamped ethnic Kachin refugees who fled a renewed civil war in neighboring Myanmar, pushing them back into the conflict zone in Kachin State in northern Myanmar, according to foreign human rights researchers, political analysts and two people in Kachin State.

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The New York Times

Refugees are returning to a conflict zone in Kachin State.

The forced repatriation appears to be happening in large waves this week. The refugees fled to China after a 17-year cease-fire agreement between the Kachin Independence Army and Myanmar’s government broke down in June 2011. The civil war with the Kachin is one of many occurring in Myanmar, formerly Burma, and the renewal of the Kachin conflict has cast doubts on the sincerity or ability of President Thein Sein to carry out deep political reforms.

A researcher for Human Rights Watch said the repatriations appeared to have begun en masse on Tuesday. He estimated that 1,000 refugees had returned to Kachin State and that an additional 4,000 were projected to return by the end of the week.

In June, Human Rights Watch reported that 7,000 to 10,000 Kachin refugees were in China and subjected to squalid conditions and harsh treatment by officials. It also said there had been some instances of forced repatriation by Chinese officials, though apparently not as systematic or widespread as now.

“All the refugees in China now are being pushed back,” said a resident of Laiza, the capital of the rebel-held part of Kachin State. “Many of them are back already.” On Wednesday, he added, Chinese border guards expelled a group of refugees from an area called Nong Tau and destroyed refugee huts even before the refugees had left the site.

Ryan Roco, a human rights researcher who has documented the plight of the war’s displaced, said he had learned that at least 4,200 Kachin were being forced out of six camps in Yunnan Province, China, and back into Myanmar. He said the process, begun last week, appeared to have intensified since Tuesday. A further 700 were living with family or friends in Yunnan after being forced from the camps, he said.

Those who have returned to Kachin State are living on both sides of the conflict zone. Part of Kachin State is controlled by the Kachin Independence Army, though the rebel group has lost significant territory since the civil war restarted.

“The actions of the Chinese against vulnerable Kachin demonstrate a wanton disregard for human dignity and international humanitarian law,” Mr. Roco said.

Officials in Yunnan and Beijing had been tolerating the presence of the Kachin refugees for more than a year, although Yunnan officials had threatened to evict them.

It is not clear why the refugees are being expelled now. An employee at the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the ministry had no immediate comment after it was sent a list of questions on Thursday. Calls to the Yunnan propaganda office went unanswered, as did calls to the propaganda office of Dehong Autonomous Prefecture, the location of the camps.

The Kachin are Christians, and Chinese religious organizations and some other aid groups have been allowed by local Chinese officials to help refugees and internally displaced Kachin.

China has not taken an official position on the Kachin conflict. Kachin State is rich in jade, timber, mineral wealth and water resources, all coveted by the Chinese. Several large Chinese dam projects are in the region, including the Myitsone Dam, which aroused local protests.

China is also a major patron of the Burmese government, though many Myanmar citizens are wary of or hostile toward growing Chinese influence. 

On Monday, The Irrawaddy, a newspaper based in Thailand that reports on Myanmar, said Chinese officials had pressed the Kachin Independence Organization, the civilian counterpart to the Kachin Independence Army, to accept 4,000 refugees back in Kachin State.

Patrick Zuo contributed research from Beijing.

UN Builds 2,500 Shelters for Kachin Refugees

Kachin refugees flee fighting between the KIA and government troops. (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

Amid war the escalating conflict in northern Burma’s Kachin State, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it is building 2,500 shelters for civilians displaced by fighting between government troops and ethnic rebels.

“We estimate that more than 48,000 displaced people in Kachin State have received our assistance in the form of mosquito nets, blankets, tarpaulins and plastic floor mats,” Vivian Tan, the spokesperson for the UNHCR in Asia told The Irrawaddy on Thursday.

“We have given them warm clothes to protect their children against the harsh climate, as well as soap, detergent, buckets, pots, plates, cups, cooking and eating utensils,” she added.

Due to hostilities between the government army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA), there are an estimated 70,000 people sheltering in temporary camps in by the Sino-Burmese border. According to KIA sources, 1,640 battles have been recorded since the conflict erupted on June 19, 2011, ending a 17-year ceasefire.

Although official causality figures are not available, rebel sources say that every encounter entails some injuries. Despite repeated attempts at peace negotiations over 13 months of hostilities, no end is in sight.

The KIA reports that government reinforcements including artillery and mortars have been called into the areas around Bhamo Township, in southern Kachin State and in Muse, northern Shan State, both close to rebel strongholds.

The KIA’s political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), last signed ceasefire agreement with the government in 1994 but the truce stood ended on June 19 last year. KIA is thought to have around 15,000 fighting troops and it is Burma’s second biggest ethnic armed group after United Wa State Army (UWSA).

All other major ethnic armed groups—including the Karen National Union, Shan State Army-South, New Mon State Party and Karenni National Progressive Party—have reached ceasefire agreements with Naypyidaw over recent months.

As a result of recent ceasefire agreements, there are reports of more than 150,000 Burmese refugees living in nine camps along Thai-Burma border being repatriated. UNHCR officials have been visiting the area often to discuss the resettlement the displaced.

In May, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies held a repatriation workshop for community-based organizations to be ready to get involved in repatriation program when it comes sometime in the future.

Asked about the return of Burmese refugees on the Thai-Burmese border, Tan told said that the UNHCR is not yet ready to promote their return.

“Like the refugees, we are closely watching developments inside Myanmar and we are supporting efforts to prepare for possible returns if and when the refugees themselves want to go home,” she said.

“There are still many things that need to be done to show the kind of progress that would help refugees decide for themselves whether conditions are right for them to go home.”

HRW frets over Myanmar's ethnic strife

Published By United Press International

BANGKOK, June 26 (UPI) -- Members of an ethnic group from Myanmar are at risk of being returned to Myanmar from China where they face an uncertain future, Human Rights Watch said.

Sophie Richardson, director of Chinese policy at Human Rights Watch, called on Beijing to offer temporary protection to Kachin refugees in China's southern Yunnan province.

"China has no legitimate reason to push them back to Burma (known also as Myanmar) or to leave them without food and shelter," she said in a statement from neighboring Thailand.

Human Rights Watch, in a 68-page report, said as many as 10,000 Kachin refugees have fled conflict and abuses in Myanmar since June 2011.

Kachin rebels and other ethnic groups are battling for more self-rule. Myanmar's President Thein Sein has tried to broker peace agreements with ethnic rebels but talks with the Kachin group have so far failed.

Clashes in Kachin state, in northern Myanmar, broke out in April, leaving at least 31 people dead. Ethnic conflict in the region broke out last year for the first time since a peace deal was brokered in 1994.

Myanmar has earned praise from members of the international community for embracing democratic reform. Some countries who've eased sanctions on Myanmar said a number of human rights concerns remain, however.