CHRO

in Mizoram

Chin Human Rights Organization

September 2, 2003

Eviction intensified

Evictions of Chin refugees have intensified in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl and nearly all villages and towns across the State have joined the effort of Young Mizoram Association, which have vowed to expel every “Burmese” from Mizoram. Active eviction is being reported in most localities in Aizawl. Chanmari, Chhinga veng (ward) and Electric veng are some of the localities in which evictions have been most active. A local source estimates that more than 100 Chin families or households are living in each of the localities, and most of them have been evicted. Those who have gone into hiding to avoid the raid in their house have had all their belongings thrown out, and their houses padlocked by members of local YMA and Village Council. In one reported incident in Chhinga veng, a woman in her late pregnancy who was crying and pleading for more time to organize her household stuffs was manhandled, and forcibly dragged out of her house. All her belongings were then removed from her rented house. One woman who is on the run, and requested anonymity predicts it would be a matter of days or weeks before every single Chin is evicted from Aizawl, the city where she is making her hideout. In a matter of weeks since the eviction started in Aizawl, most major towns in Mizoram have now started carrying out evictions of Chin refugees living in their respective areas. Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Serchip, Hnahthial, Kolasib, Champhai, Saiha are some of the major towns that are actively conducting the eviction.

More people returned

The number of Chin refugees who have been returned to Burma from Mizoram is increasing and sources have told Chin Human Rights Organization that as many as 6000 refugees have already crossed the border into Burma as of September 2, 2003. Unconfirmed reports say many of the returnees have been taken into army custody. Those who have no identity cards have reportedly been given a compulsory three month jail sentence, while Burmese authorities conduct a background check on each individual. Most of the returnees were compelled to go back to Burma due to the evictions in Aizawl and other areas, and threats that the YMA will not take any responsibilities should anything happen to them after the deadline for abandoning Mizoram has passed. One person says that people are really afraid of such threats in view of the manner in which the mobs have conducted themselves by destroying properties and manhandling people. Many of those returned to the border were reported to have escorted by police who supervised their return, a report supported by the fact that the Mizoram Superintendent of Police makes regular updates on the number of those who have crossed the border into Burma.

Internally Displaced

Hundreds of people who have been evicted and told to leave Mizoram are now on the move. Because of concerns for their well being in Burma, these people are taking their chances to find sympathetic communities inside Mizoram. It has been confirmed that at least 80 people, including women and children are now sheltering at Vombuk village, located about 15 kilometers from Burma border. More people have sought shelter elsewhere inside Lai Autonomous District, where the local people have close ethnic ties with the Chin people. With the eviction spreading across Mizoram, and with the prevalent fear of returning to Burma, it is very likely that more and more people will be on the move inside Mizoram State.

India-Burma border sealed off

In an attempt to prevent returnees from entering back into Mizoram, the Mizoram State government has already sealed off its border with Burma. The government has ordered the deployment of police units at all major border passes. The closure has also affected traffic passing back and forth India Burma border.

Humanitarian aspect

Although it is still impossible to ascertain the real humanitarian conditions of people on the move, it is almost certain that they are struggling for the most basic supplies such as food, shelter and medical attention. In Vombuk where at least 80 persons are confirmed to have taken shelter, local people have built them makeshift tents and donate eatables and foodstuff. Our source has warned that unless alternate support is urgently arranged, the humanitarian consequence will be serious. Moreover, because news about these people being given shelter has likely spread to others, more people could be attracted to Vombuk, which will then exceed the already meager support currently available to them.

Notes on cause of eviction

The eviction was triggered by an incident of rape in which a 9-year-old girl was brutally raped by an individual alleged to be a Burmese citizen on 19 July 2003. The alleged perpetrator was apprehended by police two days after the incident, and immediately put in Aizawl Central Jail. Local residents then turned their anger on all “Burmese” living in the city of Aizawl by destroying their properties and ordering them to leave. As of September 2003, the alleged perpetrator is still being held without trial in Aizawl Central Jail. Inside sources have disputed the authenticity of the allegation because it has been reported that the picture of the accused was telecast on local TV and the victim has identified him as not being the rapist. According to the victim’s description, the rapist is long-haired and has a spotted and rough face, an opposite appearance with the man in custody who has a short hair and has no such marks on his face. Moreover, family members of the man in custody claim he was being targeted because of his weak mental condition. It is reported that the man in custody has three alibis to confirm that he was elsewhere at the time of the incident, but he has not been produced in court as of this point. Police obtained a confession from him at the time of his arrest, but many believe the confession was coerced.

Aggravating Factors

Although the State government called the eviction illegal and hinted punishment for those carrying out the eviction, it is yet to enforce its statement. Election of State Legislative Assembly is due in November, and this is precisely the reason why the ruling party has made no attempt that might cost its image in the eyes of the public. One comment in an online discussion alleges the Mizoram government has secretly entered into a deal with the Young Mizo Association, an organization spearheading the eviction, that while the government would take no real action against YMA, it would issue a statement condemning the eviction. Observers are pointing the continuing eviction and lack of government action to the absence of international pressure being put on the government.

The Honorable Atal Bihari Vajpayee

South Block, Raisina HillNew Delhi 110011

India

September 3, 2003

Dear Prime Minister Vajpayee:

We are writing to express our concern for the well being and safety of close to 50,000 Burmese who have sought refuge in the Northeastern State of Mizoram since the 1988 pro-democracy uprising that ended in violence and on-going persecution in Burma. Refugees International (RI) has learned that recent campaigns by local Indian groups with the support of local government authorities have forced over 5,000 Burmese Chin to abandon their homes and either go into hiding or return to Burma, a country with a well-documented record of human rights abuses against ethnic minorities.

As an organization that monitors the humanitarian and protection needs of refugees, RI applauds the Government of India for providing a safe haven for Burmese in India. Based on RI’s on-going research in the region we can confirm that many Burmese have sought refuge based on political persecution or human rights abuses by the military. This is true for members of various ethnic groups, including those from Chin State.

Over the past two months, more than 5,000 Burmese living and working in Mizoram, have been forced to leave their homes by local groups such as the Young Mizo Association (YMA). They have been told to return to Burma where RI has documented abuses of ethnic minorities in the form of beatings, torture, rapes and summary executions. According to RI interviews with former Chin deportees from Mizoram, there is a danger of being sent to labor camps and prisons, where they risk torture, illness, and death.

We understand that local police are supporting the actions of the YMA and are involved in deportations, an act in violation of international customary law. We are aware that some Burmese are involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking, that your government has every right to address this problem under Indian law. These individuals, however, should not be confused with law-abiding people who have found refuge in India from persecution by the Burmese government.

We request that the Government of India take steps to stop the harassment and forced deportations of Chin refugees in Mizoram. We request that the Government of India allow those Burmese fleeing a well-founded fear of persecution to stay in Mizoram and that local police allow entry to those fleeing persecution in Burma. Finally, we encourage you to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist these people so that India does not have to shoulder the sole burden of protecting them or caring for their humanitarian needs.

We thank you for your attention to these matters and look forward to learning more about how your government will take steps to protect Chin refugees in Mizoram.

Respectfully,

Kenneth H. Bacon

President

Cc.: Mr. Zoramthanga, Mizoram Chief MinisterMr. J.H Zoremthanga,Young Mizo Association General SecretaryMr. Lianzuala- President, Young Mizo Association Central Office

Media Release

5 August 2003

Chin Refugees In India Face Threat of Forced Repatriation (Refoulement) to Burma

Thousands of Chin refugees who have been evicted from their homes in Mizoram of northeast India are facing the threat of forced repatriation to Burma. According to reports from Mizoram, on August 3, 2003, at least 107 of those evicted from their homes in Aizawl were herded into buses heading to India-Burma border. Most of them, however, managed to escape halfway en route the Burmese border. Among these escapees were several women and children including women in their late pregnancy.

The eviction is being conducted by local youth and social organizations following a 9- year-old girl was raped by an individual alleged to be an immigrant from Burma on July 17, 2003.

Following the incident, local non-government organizations spearheaded by Young Mizo Association and Mizo Hmeichhia Insuihkhawmna (Mizo Women Organization) have ordered the evacuation of all Burmese nationals living in the city of Aizawl. Yesterday’s issue of Zoramworld, a local online news agency quoting government’s source reported that as many as 2723 individuals have been transported to India-Burma border and the number of those ‘going back to Burma’ are increasing.

An estimated 5, 0000 Chin refugees are currently living in Mizoram State. Most of them fled to India to escape human rights violations in their homeland committed by Burma’s ruling military regime.

Chin Human Rights Organization is concerned about the continuing eviction and reports of activities of forced repatriation of refugees in Mizoram. There have been periodic campaigns of eviction against Chin refugees in Mizoram in the past and the last operation launched in 2000 had resulted in the arrest and forced return of hundreds of Chin refugees to Burma.

Salai Bawi Lian Mang, Director of Chin Human Rights Organization said, “We have evidence that those who were deported on the previous occasion were arrested and imprisoned in Burma. Those carrying out the eviction need to understand that the lives of these people will be in serious danger if they are forced to return to Burma. We share the pain and anguish of the family of the little girl and the Mizo community, but our Mizo brothers and sisters should understand that the eviction is putting innocent lives in danger.”

CHRO calls upon international organizations and governments concerned about human rights and the protection of refugees to urge Indian and Mizoram authorities to intervene in the crisis of Chin refugees.

According to local sources, eviction campaigns have spread to other districts in Mizoram. In Champhai and Lunglei Districts, local residents have given eviction ultimatums to Chin refugees in their neighborhoods. A meeting resolution of Young Mizo Association on 29 July said that all foreigners sheltering in the town of Lunglei and Champhai leave Mizoram before August 15. Residents have also stepped up pressure on the State government to crackdown on Chin refugees living in Mizoram.

For more information please contact:

Chin Human Rights Organization at

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

Phone/fax (613) 234-2485

www.chro.org

From: Salai Bawi Lian Mang

Director

Chin Human Rights Organization

50 Bell Street N # 2

Ottawa, ON K1R 7C7

Canada

Tel: (613) 234 2485, (301) 468 9255

Fax: ( 613 ) 234 2485

www.chro.org

To: Dr. Justice A.S. Anand

Chairperson

National Human Rights Commission of India

Sardar Patel Bhavan

Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110001.

India

Date: July 28, 2003

Subject: The Chin/Burmese Refugees and Externally Displaced Persons in Mizoram State of India

Dear Honorable Dr. Justice A.S. Anand,

It has come to our attention that Chin refugees from Burma who have been taking refuge in Aizawl, Mizoram State, are being evicted by some local Mizo organizations and elements of local governmental unit. The eviction is being carried out in response to the rape of a nine year-old girl reportedly by an individual identified as Mr. Vanlalchanga, an immigrant from Burma on July 17, 2003.

The alleged rapist, Mr. Vanlalchanga, son of J.H. Laikhama, was arrested on July 20, 2003 by the Miroram police and was subsequently charged under U/S/ 376 (2) (G)/43 IIPC for raping a minor. He is currently being held in Central Jail of Aizawl.

According to News Link, Vanglaini, Aizawlpost, and other reliable sources, angry local residences have destroyed five houses – including three hotels managed by the alleged rapist family members at different locations.

Through a local newspaper Vanglaini, Mr. R. Lalringtluanga, secretary of Electric Veng (Ward) Young Mizo Association (YMA) branch, has informed all Chin residing in his locality to evacuate the area immediately. Similar orders have been issued by other branches of Young Mizo Association in Aizawl.

The majority of refugees from Burma who are living in Mizoram State are ethnic Chins who have fled their homeland to escape grave violations of human rights, including religious persecution, forced labor and policies of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Burma’s ruling military junta against them. We are very concerned that the evicted persons will ultimately be deported to Burma where their lives would be in serious danger.

We condemn in the strongest terms the act of the rapist. We also hope that the perpetrator will be brought to justice in accordance with Indian penal and criminal law. On the other hand, we are very concerned that innocent Chin refugees are being targeted and their lives put in danger.

We sincerely urge your office to intervene in the matter to ensure that the fundamental rights of Chin refugees are protected and that they are not forced repatriated to Burma.

Sincerely,

Salai Bawi Lian Mang

Copies to:

1) Board of Directors & All Field Officers, Chin Human Rights Organizations

2) Asian Human Rights Commission

3) United States Committee for Refugee

4) Chief Of Mission, UNHCR, Delhi

5) Refugee International

6) US Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration

Date: 16 June 2003

Stanley Peter Dromisky

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A6

Dear Honorable Mr. Dromisky,

We, the undersigned residents of Thunder Bay, who have come to settle to the city from the Southeastern Asian country of Burma, are writing this letter to bring to your attention our deep concern over the ongoing political crackdown in Burma. We have learnt that the military junta ruling Burma is mounting a massive violent campaign against pro-democracy opponents in the country, resulting in scores of arrest, death and disappearance of democracy activists.

On May 30, 2003, the military regime orchestrated a violent assault on the convoy of Burma’s democracy leader, and Noble Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters who were touring the county’s northern region. The incident left at least 70 dead, scores disappeared and injured. Of particular concern is the fate of Aung San Suu KYi who is being detained incommunicado in an unspecified military camp outside of the capital Rangoon.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy won the country’s last democratic elections in 1990 with an overwhelming majority of 82 percent of the legislative seats. But the military regime, which came to power after slaughtering thousands of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators, refused to recognize the election results, and has since embarked on a campaign of terror against dissidents. Aung San Suu Kyi has spent most of the last 15 years under house arrest, and her release in late 2001 had given new hopes for the country’s return to democracy from nearly 50 years of military rule.

The re-arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the latest violent crackdown on democracy movement is a clear indication that the military junta ruling Burma, which calls itself the State Peace and Development Council is neither interested in political reform nor has any intention to return power to the people of Burma. Further, the regime has been waging a brutal genocidal war against the country’s ethnic minorities resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions of civilian populations.

Virtually all governments, including Canada and the United States, have denounced the latest crackdown in Burma. In the United States, the Senate has already overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban all imports from Burma, freeze the assets of junta officials within the United States, and impose a visa ban on all senior officials of the regime as well as leaders of organizations and persons associated with the junta. The European Union is also contemplating on implementing similar measures against the regime.

We believe that Canada with its unique position in the world, and as a nation with the tradition of peace and humanitarian commitments in the world, has tremendous leverage in affecting real political change in Burma. It is also in the interest of Canada to take a leading role in ending five decades of brutality and violence the people of Burma have been suffering at the hands of the military junta. According to the RCMP, more than half narcotic imports in Canada originated in Burma. Various credible international organizations have also revealed the close links between the Burmese military officials and international narco-smuggling rings that operate inside Burma.

Canada has previously led efforts to bring an end to repressions and inhumanities in South Africa, Haiti, Yugoslavia and elsewhere in the world. The ongoing crackdown on freedom and democracy in Burma is a clear indication that current measures in place against the regime in Burma are ineffective.

As members of your constituency, we therefore, strongly appeal to you to take leadership in getting the government of Canada initiate urgent measures to help end repression and human rights violations in Burma. We also strongly request that efforts towards these measures embody the followings:

1. An immediate action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and other detainees, as well as all political prisoners in Burma

1. Implementation of strong economic sanctions in the forms of import and investment bans and others

1. The continuance of existing diplomatic and political pressures on Burma with the view to forcing the regime to enter into political dialogue with the NLD and representatives of ethnic nationalities that would lead to a return of genuine democracy, peace and human rights in Burma

1. Finding appropriate means to get the United Nations Security Council address the Burmese situation in order to put to a stop the ongoing genocide, religious persecution, and systematic human rights abuse against various ethnic groups in the country. (In this regard, his honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham, in his policy speech at a UN reform conference in New York, has recently made it clear Canada’s commitment to supporting the UN in taking punitive measures against member states which have failed to live up to their Charter obligations, measures that would include membership suspension and expulsion)

1. Through appropriate diplomatic channels, putting effective pressure on Burma’s neighboring countries to stop supporting and engaging the military regime

Additionally, we’ve learnt that Canada will be represented at this week ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We implore your immediate personal communication to the Foreign Minister asking him to get concerned regional parties involve in helping to secure the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Burma. This will send a strong message to the Burmese military junta that their brutal policies and trickery will not be tolerated by the international community.

Sincerely,

(Individual names omitted*)

(*More than 40 individuals, mostly of Karen and Chin, residing in Thunder Bay, Ontari

June 3, 2003

Rockville

Chin Human Rights Organization deeply deplores and condemns yet another violent crackdown on members of the National League for Democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi by Burma’s ruling military regime, State Peace and Development Council.

According to credible sources inside Burma, as reported by the Washington-based National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) as well as other groups, the motorcades in which pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters were traveling, were violently attacked by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, a proxy force of the ruling junta, which has been responsible for harassing and threatening Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues on their tour across the country. The latest incident represents a complete lack of humanity and civilized conduct on the part of the SPDC, and such action has served to put into serious question the regime’s purported commitment to political reform and national reconciliation in Burma.

The people of Burma had expressed their overwhelming support for Aung San Suu Kyi in the 1990 general elections by decisively voting for the National League for Democracy party. Despite persistent attempts by the regime to annihilate the NLD and its supporters, Aung San Suu Kyi continues to represent the true wills of the people of Burma. Subjecting her and her party members and supporters to violence and brutality constitutes both disrespect for, and a criminal act against the people of Burma.

The extraordinarily large crowds that showed up to greet Aung San Suukyi and her colleagues in different parts across the country, including the people of Chin State, indicates the people’s unwavering support for her and the National League for Democracy. During her recent visit to Chin State, authorities attempted to scale down the number of people showing up to greet Aung San Suu Kyi by forcibly sending away all government employees to outside of town ahead of her visit. The consistent pattern of harassment and threats encountered by Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues in their entourage makes it clear that the latest incident of violence was deliberately planned and instigated by the State Peace and Development Council.

CHRO also deplores the indefinite closure of universities depriving students across Burma of their right to education. The right to education is an indivisible part of universal human rights to which everyone is entitled. It is much deplorable that students are seen as constituting a potential threat to regime stability in Burma. Indefinite closure of schools has affected the same generation three times in less than two decades, and it is essential that the international community see this as a problem not only for the Burmese society but also as a dangerous hindrance to the development of humanity.

The United Nations and the international community at large have in the past consistently deplored the systematic violations of human rights in Burma, and have repeatedly called on the ruling military regime to show respect for human rights in the country. However, the fact that the military regime has continued to violate human rights in defiance of international opinion shows that the time has come for such rhetoric to be translated into concrete actions on the part of the international community. In view of the latest incident of an open violence directed at Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters, it is important that international inaction does not contribute to more violence and brutality being perpetrated by the Burmese military regime against Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters, and the citizens at large.

Press Release

October 20, 2003

The Burmese Generals are lying to The World

SPDC and USDA Forcibly Rally Thousands of Chin People against Their Wills in Support of Gen. Khin Ngunt Seven Points “Roadmap to Democracy”

The Chin Human Rights Organization deeply deplores and condemns the act of State Peace and Development Council SPDC and it’s henchman-organization Union Solidarity and Development Association USDA for forcing the Chin people against their wills to rally in supports of “Gen. Khin Ngunt’s seven point roadmap to democracy” in Haka, the capital of Chin state on October 16, 2003.

Chin Human Rights Organization have confirmed that all the students and government employee in Haka were forced to attend the rally threatening that any one who refuse to participate in the rally will be expelled from their school or their job. All major towns in Chin states such as Falam, Matupi, Mindat, Thantlang, Tiddim, and Tonzang are compelled to send representatives to participate in the rally. Furthermore, residents of Haka town and nearby villages were forced to send one person per household to attend the rally. Any household that fails to attend the rally is subject to fine 1,000 Kyats and necessary punishment by higher authority (Kyat is Burmese currency). Those who participate in the rally are divided into three columns, and each column had to wear the Burmese traditional dress in uniform.

On October 17, 2003 the SPDC’s newspaper New Light of Myanmar covered the story of forced-rally in Haka under the title of “Mass rally held in Chin State to support Prime Minister’s clarification on seven-point political roadmap”. The newspaper deliberately tried to deceive the readers by attacking the pro-democracy opposition party and praising the achievements of the military junta. The junta’s newspaper printed in Rangoon was unable to spell correctly all the names of the Chin individuals mentioned in their story.

Under the Burmese military junta, the Chin people are suffering rampant human rights violations such as religious persecutions, forced labor, arbitrarily arrest, torture and abuse against women which resulted thousands of Chin to flee from their home countries.

In fact, the Chin people a long with the whole Burma have expressed their wills to democratic change in 1988 by protesting against the Burmese Socialist Program Party BSPP even in the smallest village in Chin state. Again in 1990 general election in Burma, the Chin peoples showed their wills to democratic change by decisively voting for pro-democracy candidates in Chin states and Burma as a whole. In April 2003, while Aung San Suu Kyi was visiting Chin state, ten of thousands of Chin people greeted her in spite of the Junta’s threatening the local people that those who meet Aung San Suu Kyi will be severely punished.

The rally organized by USDA under the guidance of SPDC in Haka, Chin state on October 16, clearly depicted that Burmese military junta called State Peace and Development Council is trying to consolidate its hold on power by deceiving the whole world that the people of Burma supported their illegal leadership.

The United Nations and the international community at large have in the past consistently deplored the systematic violations of human rights in Burma, and have repeatedly called on the ruling military regime to show respect for human rights in the country. However, the fact that the military regime has continued to violate human rights in defiance of international opinion shows that the time has come for such rhetoric to be translated into concrete actions on the part of the international community. Chin Human Rights Organizationwww.chro.org For More information please contact: Salai Bawi Lian Mang, Director, CHRO at 510 595 1872

October 18, 2003

Washington DC

The rally, entitled as “- A mass rally, organized by the Union Solidarity and Development Association, held in support of the Prime Minister’s clarification on seven policies and programmes of the State (roadmap) in Vamthu Maung Sports Garden in Haka, Chin State” and published in the New Light of Burma from YANGON, 17 Oct ,2003 was a big lie of the Burmese Generals to deceive the world.

The rally was a repetition of the exact procedure how the illegitimate “Constitution of Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma 1974 , was adopted in false referendum by forcing the people at gun point to vote in support of the constitution in this way.

All those who read and gave speeches in the rally were all government servants now or before who would be not only expelled from their job but arrested, tortured and jailed if they refuse to read this pretended support in fear of the military arrest and torture.

The whole Chin population as a Christian State who practice democracy in their Christian religious institutions are in full support of democracy and federal form of the Union constitution in which Chin State could join the federal Union as a conststituent state of the federal Union.

This was clearly shown by the population rejecting to vote the Generals-supported-candidate Pu Van Kulh, Ex Colonel and Minister of Social Welfare in the Cabinet of the late dictator General Ne Win and Member of State Council under the socialist constitution 1974, Member of politburo of Burma Socialist Program Party(BSPP) / National Unity Party(NUP) and voted me for their representative as a Member of parliament in the 1990 Burma general election.

This assembly and rally clearly showed how the generals are trying to lie blatantly to the world. Their stupid trick cannot be hidden and the world is on the side of the Chin population and the democratic forces of the Union led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The generals by trying to lie the world in this way are certainly digging their own pit-fall into which they would fall not before long.

Not only that they forced them to lie at gun point, the buildings shown in this article also are all to lie as if the buildings here are in the Chin State. The buildings shown in the picture in that news paper with the article there are in Burma proper, not the buildings in the Chin State. There have not been such a single building like these modern building structure in the Chin State as it has been neglected to establish even the infrastructure to minimally develop the state within the period of the military rule.

Lian Uk,

Member of Parliament Elect

Haka Constituency, the capital of the Chin State

Now in political exile, USA

Press Release

Chin Human Rights Organization

Date: May 19, 2004

Ottawa

Burma’s Junta Guilty of Mounting A Campaign of

Ethnocide Against Chin Christians

Chin Human Rights Organization announces the release of a report entitled “Religious Persecution: A Campaign of Ethnocide Against Chin Christians in Burma.” A compilation of facts gathered over the last eight years, the report exposes disturbing evidences of religious persecution against Chin Christians by Burma’s ruling military junta State Peace and Development Council. The report details cases of abuse by Burmese authorities toward one of the country’s major ethnic groups who are predominantly of Christian faith. The Chins inhabit a hilly region of Burma’s western frontier. Over half a million Chins are living in the Chin State and more than 90 percent of them are Christians. The total population of Chin living in the whole of Burma and neighbouring countries is estimated to number 2 millions. This report reveals that the military junta ruling Burma is mounting an active campaign to eliminate the Chin religion, culture and race as part of a policy to ‘Burmanize’ the country.

Since 1999, the United States has singled out Burma as a few countries in the world that violate religious freedom. This report adds yet more evidence to the fact that Burma’s ruling junta, despite its ongoing effort to portray itself as pursuing serious reforms on political and human rights conditions of the country by resuming the stalled National Convention, is responsible for discriminating and persecuting minority religious and ethnic groups in the country.

The 140-page report documents horrifying incidents of abuse by members of the Burma Army, often on direct orders of senior military officials, against Chin Christians. This report also reveals that there is an ongoing effort by the ruling military regime to force-convert Chin Christians to Buddhism, the country’s dominant religion.

The report says that military officials in high command often order the destruction of symbolic Christian crosses planted on mountain peaks by local churches. These crosses are then replaced with Buddhist pagodas or other Buddhist religious statues, often forcing Chin Christians to make human and financial contribution for the construction. This report demonstrates that Burmese authorities are also responsible for deliberately hampering efforts by Christian congregations to freely conduct their religious affairs by denying them permission to hold conferences and worship services and by subjecting Christian activities to strict and discriminatory regulations.

Religion is an important part of Chin society and culture. This report gives clear evidence that Burma’s ruling military regime State Peace and Development Council is responsible for conducting a policy of ‘cultural genocide’ or ethnocide against the Chin people, one of Burma’s distinct society. The report, however, carefully notes that members of the ruling regime, rather than Buddhist religion, are responsible for the persecution of Chin Christians.

For More Information Please Contact;

In Canada: Salai Za Uk Ling (Telephone): 807 577 4903

In the United States: Salai Bawi Lian Mang (Telephone) 510 595 1872

In Thailand: Victor Biak Lian (Telephone) (66) 782 539 41.

Online version of the report is available at

URL: www.chro.org

Chin Human Rights Organization

50 Bell Street N.#2

Ottawa, CANADA

ON, K1R 7C7

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www.chro.org

July 24, 2004

Chin Human Rights Organization expresses its deep sorrow at the demise of Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, the Shan prince of Yawnghwe, this morning in Vancouver, Canada. Son of the first President of an independent Union of Burma Sao Shwe Thaike, Dr. Chao Tzang, also known as Eugene Yawnghwe, was a fine revolutionary, an accomplished academic and a tireless campaigner for human rights and democracy in Burma. Dr. Yawnghwe dedicated his entire life to working for the freedom of his people, the Shans, and of all the people of Burma from tyranny, inhumanity and oppression.

Before General Ne Win took over power, Chao Tzang Yawnghwe tutored English at the Department of English at Rangoon University. Soon after the military coup of 1962, Chao Tzang Yawnghwe went underground to join the Shan resistance in 1963. A prominent member of the Shan revolution, Chao Tzang Yawnghwe was among the Shan delegation that held peace talks called by General Ne Win in December 1963. A year later, Chao Tzang’s mother, Burma’s first lady and Mehadevi of the Yawnghe chaired the Shan State Army, a merger of two Shan revolutionary organizations. Chao Tzang Yawnge later rose to the position of General Secretary of the Shan State Progress Party, a political wing of the Shan State Army.

In 1985, due to health reasons Yawnghwe left the Shan revolution in order to begin a new life in Canada. Chao Tzang later earned his PhD in Political Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. A true believer of freedom and human rights, Dr. Chao Tzang rejoined the revolution after the 1988 popular uprising in Burma. Since then, he had held various position of eminence and was co-founder and a member of Presidium of the United Nationalities League for Democracy (Liberated Area) UNLD/LA, Advisor to the National Reconciliation Program NRP, Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and Chair of the Working Committee of the Ethnic Nationalities Council. He was also instrumental in helping to draft the state Constitutions for the ethnic nationalities.

A scholar who committed all his life to the freedom of Burma from tyrannical rule, Dr. Yawnghwe firmly believed in the important role of the world community in helping to realize his dreams: the smooth transition from military rule to a system of federalism and democracy in Burma. He said in his article Burma Analysis 2003, “Success for any process of political change (or transition) in Burma in the direction of democratization to which the SPDC claims to be committed to as well and the sustainability of the outcomes will necessarily depend on the focus of the international community on the problems, conflict, and issues that have confronted the peoples of Burma for many dismal decades.”

The death of Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe is an irreplaceable loss to the continuing fight for equality, self-determination, federalism and democracy in Burma. He was a hero, a revolutionary, an intellectual and a dedicated activist during whose leadership the ethnic nationalities have learned to so much to advance their cause. Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe will always be gone, but he will always be remembered as a leader, a revolutionary, a federalist and democrat who dedicated all his life for the freedom of the people of Burma.

CHRO offers its most profound condolence to the family and friends of Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe.

May his soul rest in peace.

Chin Human Rights Organization

July 24, 2004