Statement to the Chinese Consulate, Chiang Mai

By Kachin Community in Thailand • January 25, 2013

Since the resumption of conflict between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burmese government army in June 2011, it has been the government which has been one-sidedly launching offensives for the past 19 months. This has caused over 100,000 Kachin people, including women and children, to flee their homes and seek safe shelter elsewhere.

During attacks against the KIA, the Burma Army has committed all kinds of crimes, including burning villages, killing villagers, arresting and raping women, and even murdering children. Burmese government troops have not only attacked the KIA, but have targeted all Kachin villagers. As a result, Kachin and other ethnic civilians in Kachin and northern Shan State have been suffering from the conflict.

Instead of engaging in political dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict, the military government pressured the KIA to become a Border Guard Force, and in June 2011, the 17 year ceasefire between the KIA and the Burmese government army was broken.

The Burmese government forces have been using aircraft and long-range mortars to bomb the KIA bases, Laiza and the IDP camps. Because of this, not only KIA soldiers, but also innocent civilians have died.

It is clear that the “democratic reform program” of President Thein Sein’s government is not aimed at granting equal rights to Kachin and other ethnic nationalities, but rather at annihilating them.

We therefore urge the Chinese government:

To pressure the Burmese government and its army to engage in genuine nationwide political dialogue to solve the conflict, instead of launching military offensives against the Kachin people.
To allow Kachin refugees fleeing from Burma Army attacks and abuses to cross into China, and to provide them with safe refuge, and to allow UNHCR to assist the IDPs and refugees.
To allow international humanitarian aid agencies to freely access and provide assistance to the displaced Kachin along the China border.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Seng Zin + 66 (0) 84 6142 330
Mr. La Nu Nan + 66 (0) 84 6122 697

Download this statement in Chinese or Burmese here.

Tags: Armed Conflict, Burmese, China, Humanitarian Assistance, Kachin Community in Thailand, Kachin State, Peace, Sanctions

This post is in: Aid and Development, Press Release

Statement to the Chinese Consulate, Chiang Mai

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