CHRO

Press Statement on a protest against religious persecution against

Chin Christians in Burma

January 29, 2005

Ottawa, Canada

Chin Christian community and supporters of Burma’s democratic and human rights movement are gathering in front of the Burmese (Myanmar) Embassy in Ottawa to protest Burmese military junta’s policy of religious persecution and discrimination against ethnic Chin Christians.

With this demonstration, we are joining other Chin communities and their supporters in Washington DC, Malaysia and New Delhi to condemn Burma’s military junta’s absolute disregard for freedom of religion and fundamental human rights.

On January 3, 2005 a giant Christian cross on top of Mount Boi near Matupi town of Chin State was destroyed by Burmese troops on direct order of Colonel San Aung, one of the highest ranking military commanders in the region. The 50-foot tall concrete cross was erected by local Christians at the cost three and a half million Kyats. After destroying the cross, troops from Light Infantry Battalion (304) hoisted a Burmese flag as a sign of victory against Christianity in Chin State where more than 90 percent of the populations are Christians. There are reports the regime is making plans to construct a Buddhist pagoda on the site.

This latest destruction is part of a larger and systematic effort by the military regime to persecute Chin Christians in order to expand the influence of Buddhism in Chinland. Since the early 1990s, the military regime has destroyed more than a dozen crosses in Matupi, Tonzang, Falam, Hakha and Thantlang Townships, and has demolished several Church buildings. At the same time, the regime has built Buddhist pagodas and sponsored the mass migration of Buddhist monks to Chinland.

Burma is a country characterized by its religious and ethnic diversity. The two Union constitutions of post independent Burma thus recognize a degree of religious freedom for all citizens. And religious freedom is a universally accepted fundamental human right to which all human beings are entitled. As a member of the international community, Burma is obliged to respect a universal norm of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and other fundamental human freedoms.

Burma’s military regime has no moral or legal justification for persecuting Chin Christians on the basis of their religious affiliation or ethnic identity. There is no moral basis for the junta to use the name of any religion, including Buddhism to which it claims to adhere, to justify the persecution of other religions. It is an insult to Buddhism itself, a religion of peace and compassion, for the Burmese military regime to use it as a disguise to achieve political objectives by persecuting people of non-Buddhist religion.

In December of 2004, Burma hosted a World Buddhists Summit amidst questions about its worthiness to organize such international meeting given the regime’s abysmal record of treating religious minorities and absolute disregard for fundamental human rights. Around the same time that this meeting took place in Rangoon, Burmese troops from Light Infantry Battalion (304) desecrated a Christian cross in Matupi of southern Chinland.

We condemn in the strongest terms the action of the State Peace and Development Council of the destruction on January 3, 2005 of a Christian cross in Matupi. We call on the regime to immediately abandon its policy of discrimination and persecution of religious minorities in Burma.

To this end we urge the junta:

To respect and observe the universally accepted fundamental human rights, including the right to religion as set out in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1947 and 1974 Constitution of the Union of Burma

To cease the illegal destruction and demolishment of Christian cross, churches and other religious buildings

To lift restriction on Christian churches to renovate or build new churches and religious buildings

To cease all state-sponsored activities of force-promoting Buddhism, including by abducting and force-converting of Christian children to Buddhism, forcing Christians to contribute to money and human labour for construction of Buddhist pagodas and statues, and targeting Christian leaders, evangelists and missionaries for abuses

We call on our host country, Canada and the international community to condemn the Burmese military junta’s policies of discrimination and persecution against Chin Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Burma. We call on Canada to assume a more proactive and effective role in the international effort to restore democracy and human rights in Burma

29 January 2005

Ottawa

For more information please contact

Chin Human Rights Organization

613-234-2485

[email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.chro.org

STATEMENT OF CHIN HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION

ON

THE US PATRIOT ACT OF 2001

AND

THE REAL ID ACT OF 2005

April 17, 2006

CHRO is deeply concerned about provisions of the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 and the REAL ID Act of 2005 that are hindering Chin asylum seekers and refugees from gaining protection in the United States. CHRO calls on the United States to continue to uphold its commitment under the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees. CHRO also calls on the United States Congress to revise legislation that is threatening to unjustifiably bar genuine asylum seekers and refugees from accessing immigration benefits in the United States.

For the past several decades, the United States has generously provided a home to asylum seekers and refugees from Chin State. However, under the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 and the REAL ID Act of 2005, the Chin people are at risk of being inappropriately labeled as “terrorists” and subsequently rendered inadmissible to the United States. As the law stands, the definition of “terrorist organizations” and people engaged in “terrorist activities” effectively includes groups organized to defend themselves and their people against authoritarian governments that rule through intimidation and unspeakable brutality. Furthermore, anyone who at anytime provided material support to such organizations or persons, regardless of the magnitude of support or context under which the support was given, is subject to the inadmissibility bar.

A majority of Chin asylum seekers and refugees have provided some form of support at some point in their lives to the Chin National Front (CNF), an armed resistance group organized to promote democracy in Burma and defend the people of Chin State from annihilation by the military regime. Although the U.S. government has never officially categorized the CNF as a terrorist organization, under the overly broad definitions accorded by recent legislation, participation in or support of the CNF is jeopardizing the eligibility of Chin asylum seekers and refugees from gaining sanctuary in the United States. Even minimal forms of support, such as clothing, food, water, or temporary accommodations, are sufficient to activate the inadmissibility bar. In addition, Chins who have been granted status and have made a home in the United States are at risk of being barred from ever obtaining lawful permanent residency or citizenship under the same provisions.

The 2001 and 2005 legislation is also increasing hardships for Chins seeking temporary refuge in neighboring countries. In Malaysia, where tens of thousands of Chin asylumseekers live in instability, a majority of the cases for resettlement to the United States have been put on hold. Due to developing uncertainties in the resettlement process,

neighboring countries are becoming less willing to bear the protracted burden of hosting large numbers of asylum seekers. Furthermore, none of the neighboring countries have ratified the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees, which ensures a minimum level of protection for refugee and asylum seekers. Therefore, the thousands of Chin living in India, Malaysia, and Thailand face daily fears of deportation, exploitation, and other abuses.

The Chin people have suffered particularly severe abuses at the hands of the military regime. Violations of human rights throughout Burma are well documented by non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, grassroots organizations, as well as by the United States Government. The United States Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices has consistently taken note of the abysmal human rights record in Burma. In 2005, United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice condemned Burma as an “outpost of tyranny.” Furthermore, for the past seven consecutive years, the United States has listed Burma as a “Country of Particular Concern” for committing particularly severe violations of religious freedoms. As a largely Christian community in a predominantly Buddhist country, the people of Chin State are particularly targeted for persecution by the regime.

Recommendations

The Chin Human Rights Organization strongly urges that:

Congress narrows the definition of “terrorist organizations” and “terrorist activities” or creates waivers to ensure the inadmissibility bar does not apply to resistance groups organized to defend themselves and their people from genocidal policies, human rights violations, and abusive tactics committed by illegitimate governments.

The U.S. Homeland Security Chief, Secretary of State, and Attorney General use the power granted to them by Congress to exempt as a group otherwise eligible Chin refugees and asylum seekers from the newly broadened inadmissibility terrorist bar.

Congress narrows the definition of “material support” to exclude involuntary, inadvertent, irregular, insignificant and otherwise excusable contributions to resistance fighters.

The United States ensures that the adjustment process for Chins already granted status in the United States as asylees and refugees is not negatively impacted by the 2001 and 2005 legislation.

Chin Human Rights Organization

25 October 2006

The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) applauds the recent action taken by the U.S. Department of State and the tireless efforts of the many advocates, organizations, and concerned individuals to secure a waiver of adverse provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act for Chin refugees living in Malaysia, India, and Thailand.

On 11 October 2006, the U.S. Secretary of State signed a waiver to exempt Chin refugees living in Malaysia, India, and Thailand from provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act that threatened to render them ineligible for resettlement to the United States. Thousands of Chin refugees have been waiting resettlement to the United States after their cases were put indefinitely on hold due to inappropriately broad provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act that effectively excludes from the United States genuine refugees as “terrorists.” This waiver will allow the resettlement process to resume for Chin refugees, some who have been waiting for over one year in increasingly oppressive and hostile host countries. Resettlement to the United States for Chin refugees for many is the promise of a new life and the hope of a brighter future.

Chin refugees have been subject to the inadmissibility bar due to widespread support of the Chin National Front (CNF), an armed resistance group organized to promote democracy in Burma and defend the people of Chinland from annihilation by the Burma military regime. Under the current reading of the USA PATRIOT Act, anyone who has participated in or demonstrated support of an armed group may be excluded from the United States as a terrorist. There is no exemption for groups organized to defend themselves and their people against authoritarian governments that rule through intimidation and unspeakable brutality. Furthermore, anyone who at anytime provides any form of support to such an organization, regardless of the magnitude or context, is subject to the inadmissibility bar. Cases have been put on hold for contributing even minimal forms of support, such as clothing, food, water, or temporary accommodations.

CHRO is grateful to the U.S. government for renewing their commitment to protecting refugees by granting a waiver to the Chin people, and urges the U.S. Congress to revise the USA PATRIOT Act to ensure other groups of genuine refugees are not unjustifiably excluded from the United States. CHRO is also grateful to all those who have contributed to the efforts to highlight and promote the issues impacting the Chin people. In particular, CHRO would like to extend a very special thanks to the members of the Refugee Council of USA, who continue to fight for increased rights and protection of all asylum seekers and refugees worldwide. CHRO would also like to thank the Chin churches from North America, Europe, Australia, church communities and concerned individuals across the world that have supported the Chin people through their words, their work, their financial contributions, and their prayers.

BACKGROUND

Thousands of Chins are forced to flee from Burma every year as persecution by the military regime against the Chin people persists. Reports of summary and extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, torture, rape, forced relocation, forced labor and other violations of basic human rights in Chin State are tragically widespread. Currently there are more than 80,000 Chins living in exile in Malaysia, India and Thailand. None of these host countries, however, have signed onto the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. As a result, the Chin people are afforded with little to no protections. Without official recognition, Chin refugees have been unable to work, attend school, access, health or social services, or obtain adequate living accommodations. Moreover, refugees are vulnerable to extortion, theft, sexual abuse, arrest, deportation, and many other difficulties.

Chin Human Rights Organization

October 25, 2006

www.chro.org

For Immediate Release

CHRO Welcomes the Publication of “Carrying the Cross

CHRO Welcomes the Publication of “Carrying the Cross: the Military Regime’s Campaign of Restriction, Discrimination and Persecution of Christians in Burma,” Calls for UN Special Rapportuer on Religious Freedom and Belief to Investigate Abuse of Religious Freedom in Burma

9 February, 2007

Ottawa, CANADA

Chin Human Rights Organization welcomes the publication of a new report “Carrying the Cross: the Military Regime’s Campaign of Restriction, Discrimination and Persecution of Christians in Burma” by London-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which provides a comprehensive analysis of issues of religious freedom under Burma’s military regime.

The CSW report complements and adds yet more evidence to existing reports of systematic denial of religious freedom and persecution of minority Christians by Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council. Burma remains one of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom in the United States State Department’s list.

Chin Human Rights Organization has long been concerned by the systematic discrimination, denial and persecution of Christians in Burma. In 2004, CHRO published its first comprehensive report on persecution of Chin Christians, “Religious Persecution: A Campaign of Ethnocide against Chin Christians in Burma” which provided evidences of destruction of churches, crosses, torture and humiliation of pastors, abduction and forced conversion of Chins to Buddhism who constitute more than 90 per cent of the population of Chin State.

“The CSW report clearly demonstrates that persecution of Christians and other religious minorities is a nationwide phenomenon, which Burma’s military regime uses as part of its ‘Burmanization’ campaign,” says Salai Bawi Lian Mang, Director of Chin Human Rights Organization. “Persecution and discrimination of Christians are no isolated incidents but systematic. They are all manifestation of a conformist ideology of the military junta which tries to make Burma a country based on ‘One race, one language, one religion’ or Burman, Burmese and Buddhist,” he adds.

Chin Human Rights Organization also welcomes a motion that has been recently initiated in the British Parliament calling for an immediate end to persecution of Christians and other religious groups in Burma. CHRO calls on the United Nations Special Rapportuer on Religious Freedom and Belief to conduct an investigation into the issue of religious freedom in Burma.

For more information please contact:

CHRO Director Salai Bawi Lian Mang at 510 981 1417, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and Salai Za Uk Ling co-author of Religious Persecution: A Campaign of Ethnocide Against Chin Christian in Burma at 60 1737 45546 Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 6, 2007

Worldwide Chin Communities Condemn Religious Persecution in Burma and Urge UN Investigation

Worldwide Chin communities endorse CSW report and support the introduction of an Early Day Motion in the British House of Commons urging the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief to investigate.

The undersigned members of the Chin community heartily endorse the recently released report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) entitled Carrying the Cross: The Military Regime’s Campaign of Restriction, Discrimination, and Persecution Against Christians in Burma. As representatives of the worldwide Chin community, we strongly support the introduction of an Early Day Motion in the British House of Commons urging the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief to investigate violations of religious freedoms in Burma.

We commend CSW’s comprehensive report and graciously thank CSW for giving a voice to and demanding justice for persecuted Chin Christians and other religious minority groups in Burma.

Burma is a country characterized by its religious and ethnic diversity. The two Union constitutions of post independent Burma thus recognized a degree of religious freedom for all citizens. And religious freedom is a universally accepted fundamental human right to which all human beings are entitled. As a member of the international community, Burma is obliged to respect a universal norm of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and other fundamental human freedoms.

Burma’s military regime has no moral or legal justification for persecuting Chin Christians on the basis of their religious affiliation or ethnic identity. There is no moral basis for the junta to use the name of any religion, including Buddhism to which it claims to adhere, to justify the persecution of other religions. It is an insult to Buddhism itself, a religion of peace and compassion, for the Burmese military regime to use it as a disguise to achieve political objectives by persecuting people of non-Buddhist religion.

Evidence shows that the Burmese military regime has been systematically persecuting Chin Christians for the past several years. The Chins understand that tearing down Christian crosses and other Christian landmarks and replacing them with Buddhist shrines in our own homeland by the Burmese military regime is an act of tyranny and a symbol of colonialism. Thus, we, the Chin people from all over the world, strongly condemn these forms of oppression and call on the State Peace and Development Council to immediately stop all human rights abuses, including persecution of people on the basis of their religious and ethnic identity.

Chin Baptist Fellowship of America

Chin Christian Fellowship (Denmark)

Chin Church & Community (Melbourne, Australia)

Victoria Chin Baptist Church (Australia)

Chin National Council

Chin Forum (www.chinforum.org)

Chin Freedom Coalition

Chin National Community – Japan

Chin Community in Norway

Chin National Organization (Korea)

Chin Student Union (India & North America)

Chin Student Organization (Malaysia)

MEDIA NOTE:

Chin Baptist Fellowship of America is Comprise with 13 Chin Churches in USA and Canada, and Chin National Council is an umbrella organization for 4 political parties including Chin National League for Democracy, Mara People Party, Zomi National Congress who have contested and won some seats in Chin State during 1990 General Election in Burma, and several civil society organizations including Women League of Chinland and Chin Human Rights Organization.

For More Information, Please contact:

* Pastor Val Thang of Chin Baptist Fellowship of America

(In USA at Tel: 317-784 1468, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Or Rev. Dr. Duh Kam at 240-626 7389, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Salai Kipp Kho Lian, Secretary of Chin Forum

(in Germany at Tel: 49-40-6556944 Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

* Salai Van Lian Thang of Chin National Council

(in India at 91(0)9862066398 Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

* Pu Thang Hlun, Chairman of Norway Chin Community

(in Norway Phone 47 988 42 473, email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

* Salai Lian Hmung Chairman of Chin Community Melbourne, Australia (Email at [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

* Pu Dong Khan Khup, Secretary of Chin Freedom Coalition

(at Tel: 443-629 3329, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

* Pu Nang Lian Thang, Chairman of Chin National Community in Japan

At Tel: 035 6259056, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Pi Cheery Zahau, Women League of Chinland at [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Salai Za Uk Ling of Chin Human Rights Organization

( in Malaysia at 60-1737-45546, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

CHRO CONCERNED BY REMARKS OF MALAYSIA’S HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER

8 February 2007

CHRO is deeply concerned and dismayed by the recent statements made by Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, regarding United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. CHRO urges the Minister to consider the implications of his statements in conjunction with the realities of the refugee situation in Malaysia.

On 1 February 2007, the Minister reportedly criticized UNHCR for getting in the way of the operations of agencies such as RELA and the Immigration Department. The Minister further indicated that Malaysia “accepts UNHCR’s presence, but not their powers.”

The statements by Minister Radzi reflect a failure to understand the importance of UNHCR’s functions in Malaysia. Currently there are over 25,000 Chin people living in Malaysia who have been forced to leave their homes, friends, families, and livelihoods in Chin State, Burma. The Chin have come to Malaysia in the hopes of finding a safe refuge from the brutal military rulers that have controlled Burma through unspeakable violence and oppression for decades. The Chins in Malaysia are survivors of torture, rape, forced labor, religious persecution, and other severe violations of basic human rights. These communities rely on the effective functioning of UNHCR to protect their right to seek asylum and find refuge from their persecutors.

In addition to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees, UNHCR also exists to help governments deal with refugee populations. Under its mandate, UNHCR facilitates the resettlement of refugees to third countries as well as the voluntary repatriation of refugees back to secure homelands. During the past several years, hundreds of Chin refugees have been resettled from Malaysia to start new, productive lives in third countries. It is, therefore, in Malaysia’s best interest to encourage UNHCR’s operation rather than oppose it.

The Minister’s statements also ignore Malaysia’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. Although Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, there are certain basic customary rights and principles that all nations must respect and uphold. Under customary human rights law, Malaysia is required to provide certain basic protections to all individuals within its borders, including refugees and asylum seekers. The principle of non-refoulement also prevents governments from forcibly expelling individuals who are at risk of trafficking or persecution.

Malaysia has consistently and blatantly ignored desperate pleas for protection from refugees and flouted its obligations under international law. Refugees and asylum seekers live in constant fear of RELA and immigration raids that target neighborhoods where large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers live. Abuse during the raids is rampant, particularly by the untrained RELA forces which has been the subject of frequent complaints to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). The raids result in the unwarranted arrest, detention, and deportation of hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees each year. Moreovr , Chin refugees in Malaysia are unable to work, attend school, access health or social services, or obtain adequate living accommodations.

CHRO urges Malaysia to uphold its commitment and responsibilities to promote and protect basic human rights of all persons within its borders. CHRO commends Malaysia for allowing UNHCR to carry out its mandate in Malaysia since 1975 and urges Malaysia to continue to promote and encourage the operations of UNHCR. CHRO also asks Malaysia to focus efforts on opposing the root causes of refugee flow, such as the illegitimate and brutal military regime of Burma, rather than exerting effort and expense against refugees themselves.

Contact: Salai Bawi Lian

For Immediate Release

CHRO CONDEMNS SUMMARY EXECUTIONS OF THREE CHIN VILLAGE HEADMEN

11 April 2007

Ottawa, Canada

Chin Human Rights Organization condemns the extrajudicial execution of three village headmen in Southern Chin State by troops from Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 104 and LIB 304 under Tactical Operation Command II based in Matupi headed by Colonel San Aung.

The murdered victims were Hung Ling (25) Chairman of Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) for Mindat Township’s Cun-Nam Village, Maung Khe (32) VPDC Chairman of Rezua Township’s Lung-Phunu Village and Ting Co, Chairman of Rezua Township’s Sangseh Village. Two other villagers Khin Maung Oo and Tin Ceu from Sangseh village were disappeared.

The village headmen were summarily executed after being accused of failing to report troop movement of Chin National Army/Chin National Front, an armed group opposed to the ruling military junta. They were also accused of sympathizing and providing financial assistance to the armed opposition group. The order to summarily execute anyone suspected of sympathizing or providing help to armed opposition group was issued by Chin State’s Tactical Operation II Commander Colonel San Aung in 2004.

The arbitrary execution of the three village headmen is a violation of the right to life and a person’s right to due process of the law under article 3 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Moreover, the disappearance of Khin Maung Oo and Tin Ceu is a state-enforced disappearance in contravention of the UN Convention against Enforced Disappearance.

“It is a norm rather than exceptional practice within the Burma Army to summarily execute anyone suspected of being anti-regime. Too many cases of summary executions have been carried out with impunity against ethnic communities across Burma. This kind of arbitrary killing is meant to teach a lesson to the public that the price of dissent is death” says Salai Bawi Lian Mang, Director of Chin Human Rights Organization.

Chin Human Rights Organization urges Burma’s State Peace and Development Council to immediately cease execution of civilians without judicial trial and to investigate the summary killing of the three headmen. CHRO also calls for the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions to conduct an independent investigation into extrajudicial and summary killings of civilians in Burma.

For more information please contact:

Salai Bawi Lian Mang

at 1-510-981-1417, Email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

(In Asia)

Salai Za Uk Ling

Tel: 011+ 60-173-745546

28 September 2007

The Chin Human Rights Organizations denounces the SPDC’s recent crackdowns and killings of peaceful protestors and religious leaders in Burma. CHRO also sends messages of support and encouragement to all the brave and courageous men and women of Burma who are currently rising up against the military regime. In support of the protestors, CHRO calls on the SPDC to lay down their arms, release the innocently imprisoned, and allow all those in Burma to live in peace and with dignity.

Over the past several weeks, protests have gained momentum throughout Burma. Spurred by the sudden and arbitrary rise in fuel prices on 19 August 2007, thousands of monks and religious leaders took to the streets to engage in peaceful marches. Following the lead of the monks, protests have spread throughout the country. In Chinland and in other parts of Burma, the Chin people have joined calls for democracy and peaceful change in Burma.

Unfortunately, the peaceful demands of the monks and people have been met with unrestrained violence and aggression by the military regime. Starting two days ago, the regime have begun raiding monasteries, arresting and beating monks, shooting unarmed protestors, and committing extensive human rights abuses.

As a result of the regime’s reaction to the protests, many are believed to be dead and many more injured or imprisoned. Yesterday two elected Chin MPs, Pu Cin Sian Thang of the Zomi National Congress and Pu Thawng Kho Thang of the United Nationalities League for Democracy, were caught up in the raids when they were taken from their homes and put under arrest. There is no way to know the number of people who have become victims of the regime’s retaliation.

For decades the people of Burma have suffered brutal oppression, human rights violations, and severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms at the hands of the military regime. For too long the people of Burma have lived under severe oppression and military rule. Let this be the time for change in Burma!

To the people inside Burma, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your struggles are not in vain- the world is watching.

To the SPDC and the Generals of Burma:

· Lay down your arms and let the voices of the people of Burma to be heard without obstruction

· Release all those innocently imprisoned, including the elected democratic leaders of Burma, Buddhist monks and religious leaders, and all others wrongly detained

· Engage in constructive dialogue with opposition parties, ethnic leaders, and others

· Allow the people of Burma to live with full and complete access to freedom, prosperity, and peace

To the International Community:

· Write or call your government officials and representatives and urge them to speak out against the military regime of Burma

· Show support for the protestors in Burma by joining or organizing protests in your area against the military regime of Burma

To ASEAN nations, China, and India:

· Burma is a threat to regional peace. Use your influence to affect positive change in the Burma

· Stop supporting the military regime through investments and trade

· Protect and promote the rights of refugees coming from Burma

For More Information Please Contact:

In Thailand: Amy Alexander, CHRO Regional Advocacy Officer, at Tel: 66-85-2302-609, email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

In N. America: Salai Bawi Lian, CHRO Director, at Tel: 510-332-0983, email: [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

23 October 2007

Ottawa, Canada: CHRO commends Canada’s recent show of support for the pro-democracy movement in Burma by granting Aung San Suu Kyi honorary citizenship.

Last week, on 16 October 2007, the Canadian parliament overwhelmingly favored a motion put forward by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to bestow honorary Canadian citizenship on Burma’s most famous and beloved democracy leader. This tribute is the culmination of lobbying efforts by the Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB), an Ottawa-based non-governmental organization dedicated to the democracy movement in Burma, and thousands of Canadians who supported the nomination petition for Aung San Suu Ski.

“We are very grateful to the Canadian people for their encouragement, solidarity, and compassion,” said Salai Bawi Lian Mang, the Executive Director of CHRO. “Canada has long provided a home and an ally to the people of Burma, and this most recent gesture is just one more demonstration of Canada’s belief in fundamental freedoms and basic human rights.”

Currently, Canada hosts thousands of refugees from Burma, including over 1,000 refugees from Chinland. Canada also serves as CHRO’s main headquarters.

The extension of honorary citizenship to Aung San Suu Kyi comes on the heels of brutal crackdowns against political and religious leaders last month following country-wide protests in Burma. Hundreds are believed to remain in detention facilities throughout the country. Aung San Suu Kyi also remains under house arrest. This Wednesday, 24 October, will mark a total of 12 years of house arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi.

For Immediate Release

CHRO Calls to Observe Day of Mourning

December 21, 2007- Berkeley: The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) is calling Chin community around the world to observe Sunday December 23 as a day of mourning that the entire Chin communities around the world are shocked and saddened to learn the tragic news about the death of 45 Chins including several children and women at the Andaman Sea when a boat carrying about a hundred Chins accidentally sunk into the sea near Kaw-tawng Thai-Burma border on December 20, 2007 after colliding with a fishing boat at night.

According to Chin Refugee Committee in Malaysia, most of the victims are Chin refugees heading toward Malaysia to join with their families in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is the most devastating tragedy ever in the Chin history” said Victor Biak Lian member of board of directors of CHRO.

Worsening human rights situation in Burma is a factor which forced thousands of Chins to flee from their homeland in search of survival.

The Chins who are mostly Christians, in Buddhist dominated country, are persecuted due to their belief in democracy and Christianity and also for their ethnic background, by the Burmese military regime.

There are about 25 thousand Chin refugee living in Malaysia and more than 60 thousands are taking refuge in Mizoram state of India.

Chin Human Rights Organization

www.chro.org

For more information please contact:

Victor Khambil in Malaysia at (60) 12-226-4549

Victor Biak Lian in Ottawa at (603) 796-9514