(Mizzima) – U.S. Ambassador Derek Mitchell, the special representative and policy coordinator for Burma, has met with a group of refugees in the state department, who explained their concerns about U.S. policy toward towards Burma.
“Widespread human rights abuses including forced labor, arbitrary detention and torture, extrajudicial killings, human shields, destruction of villages and theft of property, rape, forced relocation and forced portering still continue,” said the statement.
The group asked the U.S.:
– to pressure the Burmese regime to stop attacks and human rights abuses in ethnic areas, especially in Kachin and Shan States, where attacks have escalated over the last nine months
– to immediately provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to internally displaced peoples in Kachin State and pressure the Burmese regime to allow humanitarian assistance to the Kachin internally displaced people
– to pressure the Burmese regime to enter into political dialogue and to prioritize the inclusion of the ethnic representatives, including the ethnic democratic forces that are not in the parliament, instead of forcing them to join in the current political system before a political settlement is reached
It said abuses related to forced labor, land, money and resources from villagers continue. “The current cease-fires do not create peace for ethnic civilians. They do not guarantee safety for civilians. Instead, Burmese troops use the opportunity to transport their rations and ammunitions to their front line bases located in ethnic minority areas,” it said.
The group gave Mitchell a petition signed by 5,000 ethnic Karen, Kachin, Chin, Shan, Mon, Karenni and Burmans from 67 cities in 29 states.
“While we get to live in freedom and dignity in the United States, many of our families, friends and communities in ethnic areas of Burma still have to live in fear of attack and abuses from the Burmese troops,” said the statement. “As people from ethnic nationalities in Burma who have been subject to severe atrocities, we are grieved that the rights of people continue to be abused, especially while the international community asserts that positive change is happening.”
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Left to right, Aung Din, the executive director of U.S. Campaign for Burma; Gum San Maung, president, Kachin National Organization U.S.A., Ambassador Derek Mitchell; and Myra Dahgaypaw, the campaigns coordinator U.S. Campaign for Burma.
The group included Aung Din, the executive director of U.S. Campaign for Burma; Myra Dahgaypaw, the campaigns coordinator U.S. Campaign for Burma; and Gum San Maung, president, Kachin National Organization U.S.A.
In an open letter, the group said they were concerned that the main focus of international diplomatic efforts has been on some limited government reforms affecting central Burma and the upcoming by-election while insufficient attention is being paid to developments in ethnic states.
In an open letter, the group said they were concerned that the main focus of international diplomatic efforts has been on some limited government reforms affecting central Burma and the upcoming by-election while insufficient attention is being paid to developments in ethnic states.
“Widespread human rights abuses including forced labor, arbitrary detention and torture, extrajudicial killings, human shields, destruction of villages and theft of property, rape, forced relocation and forced portering still continue,” said the statement.
The group asked the U.S.:
– to pressure the Burmese regime to stop attacks and human rights abuses in ethnic areas, especially in Kachin and Shan States, where attacks have escalated over the last nine months
– to immediately provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to internally displaced peoples in Kachin State and pressure the Burmese regime to allow humanitarian assistance to the Kachin internally displaced people
– to pressure the Burmese regime to enter into political dialogue and to prioritize the inclusion of the ethnic representatives, including the ethnic democratic forces that are not in the parliament, instead of forcing them to join in the current political system before a political settlement is reached
It said abuses related to forced labor, land, money and resources from villagers continue. “The current cease-fires do not create peace for ethnic civilians. They do not guarantee safety for civilians. Instead, Burmese troops use the opportunity to transport their rations and ammunitions to their front line bases located in ethnic minority areas,” it said.
The group gave Mitchell a petition signed by 5,000 ethnic Karen, Kachin, Chin, Shan, Mon, Karenni and Burmans from 67 cities in 29 states.
“While we get to live in freedom and dignity in the United States, many of our families, friends and communities in ethnic areas of Burma still have to live in fear of attack and abuses from the Burmese troops,” said the statement. “As people from ethnic nationalities in Burma who have been subject to severe atrocities, we are grieved that the rights of people continue to be abused, especially while the international community asserts that positive change is happening.”
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