Rhododendron News
Volume X. No. III. July-August 2007
Chin Human Rights Organization
www.chro.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Human Rights Situations in Chin State
• New Family Registration Drive Poses Burdens for Chin Families
• Burmese Soldiers Living off Chin Villagers
• SPDC Soldiers Looted Money from Pig-trader
• SPDC Army Killed 50 Pigs for Food without Compensation
• Exemption for Religious Pastor Repealed
• SPDC Army Extorted 20,000 Kyats From Trader
• Army Officer Confiscates 7.6 Million Kyats from Trader
• New Tax Imposed on Fruit Merchants in Southern Chin State
• New Restrictions on Farmers and Travelers Southern Chin State
• Unlawful Seizure of Goods and Money
• More Extortion by Burmese Army
Refugee Situations
• Hundreds Arrested in Malaysia Immigration Raids
• More Chin Refugees Rounded Up in Malaysia Immigration Raids
• URGENT ACTION APPEAL: Refugee Women and Children Detained in Continuing Raids in Malaysia
• Chins held the intra-ethnic Constitution Consultative meeting
News & Events
• Chin Christian Fellowship In Denmark Held Its 4th Annual Conference Successfully
• Chins held the intra-ethnic Constitution Consultative meeting
• The 6th Seminar on the State Constitutions Kicks off
Human Rights Situations in Chinland
NEW FAMILY REGISTRATION DRIVE POSES BURDENS FOR CHIN FAMILIES
July16, 2007: Each household in Thantlang Township is to pay 10, 000 Kyats to local authorities as a fee for making a family registration book, according to an order issued during the second week of July by Pu Lai Tu, Chairman of the township Peace and Development Council.
The head of each local administrative body has been instructed to levy 10,000 per family in their jurisdiction. Households who have one or more of their family member absent during the registration drive are to pay twice the amount as a penalty.
All households in the township are to enter each family member in the new registration book at the latest by July 24, 2007. “This is just a ploy to squeeze more money out of the public. There should have been advance notice since some family members many not be home in time for the registration deadline,” one local villager complained.
BURMESE SOLDIERS LIVING OFF CHIN VILLAGERS
July 18,2007: A company commander from LIB-140, (Matupi based battalion) positioned at Pasin village of Matupi Township, Southern Chin state, in the first week of July, sent a letter requsitioning ration supplies. All villages in the area must supply rations for the Burmese soldiers according to the order, which was sent to villagers together with a bullet, local person reported to CHRO.
The said company commander had started collection of rice and chickens from villages in his jurisdiction. Each family in the area must supply 3 cups of rice and one chicken every month. In July, he sent to the villagers bullets wrapped in a letter as a warning for punishment for anyone who failed to meet his demands.
Many Chin villagers are now are living in fear as they are being compelled to supply food and curry for the Burmese soldier under threat and intimidation.
SPDC SOLDIERS LOOTED MONEY FROM PIG-TRADER
July 20, 20007: A Burmese Soldiers led by a sergeant from LIB-266, (Hakha based battalion) stationed at Than Tlang town, Northern Chin state, looted 15000 Kyats from a pig trader at the India-Burma border area, CHRO has learned.
The victims, Mr. Ceu Cung and his two mates were herding five pigs for sale in Mizoram, India. On June 05, 2007, they met with a group of Burmese soldiers on patrol between Sialam and Hmunhalh village.
frontline activist Burmese soldiers, between Sia Lam village and Hmun Halh village. The amry Segeant said, “You people are doing illegal trading, and for punishment you have to pay15000 Kyats. You can not pass on the journey without this”.
Mr. Ceu Cung had bought five pigs from the nearby villages to sell them across the border in Mizoram to support his family. “The presence of Burmese soldiers in Chin State is nothing more than hardship for the people. They are just living off the local people by looting and confiscating what little possessions we have,” said a cross-border trader.
SPDC ARMY KILLED 50 PIGS FOR FOOD WITHOUT COMPENSATION
July22, 2007: A Burmese army company commander from LIB-304 (Matupi based battalion) posted at Matupi town, Southern Chin state, had shot dead (50) pigs that were let loose from their sties, a villager reported to CHRO.
Since the establishment of the army camp in Maadu village in 2005, Lt. Captain Than Aung had issued an order to keep pigs in the sty and not to let them loose in the village. However, some pigs jump off their enclosures. Taking advantage of this situation, the soldiers had shot and killed at least 50 pigs belonging to the villagers and taken to their camp for food.
The last incident happened in May 2007 when U Awm’s pig was shot and killed and then taken to the army camp for food. The owner of the pig was not only compensated but his request for some of the meat was turned down by the soldiers.
Villages such as Am Sai, Khengca, and Thong Na are facing the same situation as their domestic animals are hunted whenever the patrolling Burmese army arrived in their village.
EXEMPTION FOR RELIGIOUS PASTOR REPEALED
July 24, 2007: Christian religious pastors will no longer be exempted from various forms of often arbitrary taxes and levies exacted by the military government.
A chairman of Falam Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC), in last week of June 2007, issued an order repealing all exemptions that were previously in place for Christian Pastor, a local person has told CHRO.
On 27 June 2007, TPDC chairman had called a meeting of (200) Christian Pastors from (35) associations at his office. In the meeting, he declared that all exemption privileges for religious pastors had been revoked effective immediately. Like common citizens, Christian pastors will give be required to pay all applicable levies and contributions demanded by the military government” he added.
According to existing laws, religious leaders from all religions are exempt from taxes and other contributions, including forced labor, demanded by the government. “This latest revocation of such privileges is seen by the public as an open attempt to discriminate Christians in Chin State,” said a local person.
SPDC ARMY EXTORTED 20,000 KYATS FROM TRADER
July 26,2007: A Burmese army column commander Lt. Captain Myo Ku Ku Zaw from LIB-228 (Kalay based battalion), positioned at Zimpi village of Tedim township, Northern Chin state, on July 13, 2007, seized 20,000 Kyats from a trader, an eye witness reported to CHRO.
Lt. Captain Myo Ku Ku Zaw, on getting information that U Pa Pawng was carrying dry areca nut on 20 horsebacks from Kalay town to sell it to Mizoram, ambushed him near Buk Phir village. The victim was asked to pay 1000 Kyats per horse and threatened him to be handed over to the Battalion Commander at Rih town, if he did not pay the money.
It has been learnt that Lt. Captain and his men also looted money from other traders unfairly who travel on the same route.
ARMY OFFICER CONFISCATES 7.6 MILLION KYATS FROM TRADER
July 28,2007: Lieutenant Tein That Oo, company commander of Burmese army from LIB- 269 (Tedium based battalion), positioned at Darkhua village of Tawn Zang Township, Northern Chin state, on July 15, 2007, unlawfully seized more than 7 million Kyats from a trader, CHRO has learned.
The victim who is a resident of Kalay town was carrying millions of Kyats worth of Indian-made tobacco on horsebacks with 160 horses when he met with the Lieutenant and his eight men on the way between Tlan Mual and Tui Tang Villages. The officer then asked the trader to pay 100, 000 Kyats per horse or face severe punishment. He was given three days to come up with the money.
Many crosss-border traders are facing increasing extortion by Burmese army units patrolling the Indo-Burma border. The settlement of Darkar army camp and Zimpi temporary army camp has become a threat to commercial activities, as the Burmese soldiers started asking money for following this Indo-Burma commercial route.
SPDC AUTHORITY LEVIED TAX FROM FARMERS
July 05, 2007: Township revenue department officer, U Soe Nyein of Palatwa town, Southern Chin state, has levied excessive tax from farmers in areas, according to CHRO source. Farmers must pay 10, 000 Kyats per each farmland they own, according to the latest order.
U Soe Nyein has asked all village council chairmen in the areas to collect data on farmers and their properties for the purpose of taxing them accordingly by the Township Revenue Department.
In issuing the order, he further stressed that any excess farmland or inaccurate reporting of farmland area would result in seizure of that farmland.
Some villagers who were unable to get money had to borrow money with high rates of interest for fear of punishment and seizure of their farmland by the authorities according to the local source.
NEW TAX IMPOSED ON FRUIT MERCHANTS IN SOUTHERN CHIN STATE
July 07,2007: Major Aung Lawi Oo, Commander of LIB-289 (Based in Palatwa town) Southern Chin state, in the first week of May this year, released an order requiring all merchants selling fruits to pay high taxes, according to CHRO source.
According the the Major’s order, anyone selling fruits produced in Paletwa to other areas must pay the taxes. He has assigned Coropral Tun Aye to collect 50,000 Kyats per boatload of fruit shipment. Those unable to pay the money are to have their goods confiscated, the order reads.
The said army commander also prohibits transporting rice to other regions. The rule breakers are to be fined 3000 Kyats for punishment, according a local person.
NEW RESTRICTIONS ON FARMERS AND TRAVELERS SOUTHERN CHIN STATE
July 10, 2007: A deputy batallion commander of LIB-304, Major Zaw Win Niang, posted at Sabawngte Village of Matupi Township, Southern Chin state, on May 16th, 2007, has issued an order prohibiting farmers to stay overnight at their farms due to purported security reasons, CHRO has learned. Those who must stay at their farms overnight are to get proir written permission from the army.
Major Zaw Win Nyin asked all 12 village administrative councils and nearby the army camp to issue permission letter to people travel ring in the regions. Travelers without permit letter are liable for severe punishment. Farmers are directed not to sleep night at the farm more than three days.
Moreover, the army officer has compelled 20 persons from surrounding villages to work on road construction for three whole days.
The forced labor has adversely affected villagers’ crop productions as some of their crops were spoiled due to late harvesting.
UNLAWFUL SEIZURE OF GOODS AND MONEY
July 13, 2007: A Burmese army sergeant and his men, based in Vuangtu army camp of Than Tlang Township, Northern Chin state, from LIB-269, (Tidim based battalion), had unlawfully confiscated money and rice from from a Bungkhua villager.
On June 19, 2007, the partolling army unit seized Kyats 50, 000 and a bag of rice from Bungkhua village who was travelling between Hriangkhan and Ruafiang villages. “The sergeant accused the victim, who does not understand Burmese, of trying to sell foodstuff to Mizoram and took away all he had, including 50, 000 Kyats.
The victim repeatedly requested them to give him back ration and money, as his family has left no more rice to eat. It is learned that many villages in Chin State are now beginning to face food shortage, due to bamboo flowering year.
MORE EXTORTION BY BURMESE ARMY
July 14, 2007: Burmese Soldiers, based in Vuangtu Army Camp of Than Tlang Township, Northern Chin state, fromLIB-269 (Based in Tidim), on June 16, 2007, extorted 300,000 Kyats from two traders, according to CHRO source.
The victims are from Lawngtlang village and were transporting pigs to Mizoram for sale when they were caught at Lungcawipi village by the soliders. All their money was then seized by the army.
Refugee Situations
HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN MALAYSIA IMMIGRATION RAIDS
By: Amy Alexander
25 June 2007-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Over 200 asylum-seekers and UNHCR-recognized refugees from Burma have been rounded up and taken into custody after early morning immigration raids today conducted by Malaysia’s controversial People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) in Kuala Lumpur neighborhoods.
The raids began around 1:30 am and took place in KL’s urban neighborhoods of Jalan Imbi and Sempaing, where a large number of asylum seekers and refugees from Burma’s Chin State reside. Approximately 217 were arrested and reportedly taken to Lenggeng detention camp located two hours outside of KL. This is the second large-scale raid in this area of KL since the beginning of the year.
Among those arrested are many UNHCR-recognized refugees, including several who are scheduled to be resettled to a third country within the next couple weeks and months. The Coordinator for the Chin Refugee Center (CRC), a community-based organization working to provide assistance to the Chin population living in Malaysia, was one of those arrested during the raid. He and his family are scheduled for resettlement to the United States in September. The Coordinator was eventually released after intervention by UNHCR and human rights organizations.
This raid is just one of a series of raids that have been conducted since the Government of Malaysia launched operations targeting undocumented migrants in March 2005. Despite criticism by human rights groups, conditions have only gotten worse for undocumented migrants as harassment, arrests, and deportations increased during the last year. Those arrested for immigration offenses are increasingly charged with canings, a serious penalty that leaves deep, permanent scarring. Conditions inside Malaysia’s detention facilities meanwhile remain deplorable, with detainees being given inadequate food, clothing, and accommodations, in addition to being subjected to verbal and physical abuse by the guards.
RELA, the untrained task force largely responsible for conducting immigration raids, has been the focus of consistent complaints for human rights violations and abuse of power. RELA has been responsible for deliberate property damage, extortion, harassment, indiscriminate and unlawful arrests, and physical assaults resulting in serious injuries and even death. Increasingly, there are calls for an end to RELA’s activities, with the Malaysia-based human rights group SUARAM issuing two separate complaints to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) within the last year and the Malaysian Bar calling for RELA’s immediate disbandment in March. Within this last month, RELA succumbed to pressure by numerous human rights groups to do away with the bounty system, which provided RELA agents with 80RM (US$25) for each arrest and led to increased abuses among the untrained volunteers.
Meanwhile the Malaysian Government has refused to address these issues. Rather, in February of this year, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad reportedly criticized the 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.” At the beginning of this month, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid further reiterated that Malaysia will not recognize refugees.
Hundreds of thousands of Chins have been forced to leave their homes in Burma to escape severe ethnic and religious persecution committed by the military regime of Burma. They arrive in Malaysia in search of some sense of security. Currently, there are over 23,000 Chin asylum seekers and refugees living in Malaysia. Instead of finding safety, the Chin people are the constant target of harassment, arrest, detention, and deportation by the Malaysian authorities. In addition, they are unable to work, receive an education, access healthcare services, or find acceptable living accommodations. With the UNHCR registration process closed since July 2005, obtaining refugee status or any protective documents from the UNHCR is difficult. As a result, life for the Chins in Malaysia is full of abuses and uncertainties.
MORE CHIN REFUGEES ROUNDED UP IN MALAYSIA IMMIGRATION RAIDS
By: Amy Alexander
31 July 2007-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: About 60 refugees and asylum seekers from Burma’s Chin State are now behind bars in Malaysia awaiting an uncertain future after immigration raids yesterday in Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Lokeyew neighborhood. About 20 women and children and 25 UNHCR-recognized refugees are among those rounded up during the raid.
Almost half of those arrested yesterday morning are recognized refugees with valid UNHCR documents. Many are in the final stages of a long process to be resettled to a third country, with some scheduled to depart within the next couple weeks. Instead of boarding an airplane to begin a new life abroad, they now face the possibility of being loaded onto a lorry bound for the Thai border.
The raid began in the early hours of the morning yesterday in Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Lokeyew neighborhood, where a large number of refugees and asylum seekers from Burma’s Chin State reside. This neighborhood was targeted just one month ago in a similarly-styled raid, which resulted in the arrest and detention of mostly women and young children.
The raid was conducted by Malaysia’s controversial RELA or the People’s Volunteer Corps, an untrained, volunteer civilian unit endowed with considerable enforcement powers. This year RELA has come under increasing criticism for its member’s reckless conduct and abusive actions during raids, not only by international human rights groups but also by organization’s within Malaysia’s civil society. In March, the Malaysian Bar joined the Malaysia-based human rights group SUARAM in calling for RELA’s immediate disbandment following repeated complaints of torture and other human rights violations.
Despite continued condemnation by members of the international community and human rights organizations, yesterday’s raid is one of a mounting number of recently conducted raids targeting the refugee and undocumented migrant community in Malaysia. Since the beginning of this year, several hundreds of refugees and undocumented migrants have been caught up in similar immigration raids.
Malaysia refuses to recognize or give any protections to refugees or asylum seekers living within its borders. Rather, Malaysia has been conducting operations to target undocumented migrants as well as refugees and asylum seekers since March 2005. In February of this year, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad reaffirmed the government’s intolerance for the refugee population by criticizing the 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.”
Hundreds of thousands of Chins have been forced to leave their homes in Burma to escape severe ethnic and religious persecution committed by the military regime of Burma. They arrive in Malaysia in search of some sense of security. Currently, there are over 23,000 Chin asylum seekers and refugees living in Malaysia. Instead of finding safety, the Chin people are the constant target of harassment, arrest, detention, and deportation by the Malaysian authorities. In addition, they are unable to work, receive an education, access healthcare services, or find acceptable living accommodations. With the UNHCR registration process closed since July 2005, obtaining refugee status or any protective documents from the UNHCR is difficult. As a result, life for the Chins in Malaysia is full of abuses and uncertainties
URGENT ACTION APPEAL: REFUGEE WOMEN AND CHILDREN DETAINED IN CONTINUING RAIDS IN MALAYSIA
June 26, 2007
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: CHRO has recently been informed that just two days after Malaysia’s RELA forces rounded up and detained more than 200 refugees and asylum seekers from the Jalan Imbi neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian immigration authorities conducted a second raid, this time in Kuala Lumpur’s Lok Yew neighborhood. This second raid resulted in 42 more refugees and asylum seekers being sent to the already overflowing Lenggeng immigration detention facility.
Whereas most of the Chins detained during the June 25th raid are UNHCR recognized refugees awaiting resettlement to third countries, a majority of those detained during the June 27th raid are women and young children. From these two incidents alone, over 36 children, two pregnant women, and 19 UNHCR-recognized refugees who are within months of being resettled to third countries are now in Malaysian immigration detention facilities facing an uncertain future.
CHRO is concerned for the safety and security of all those who are detained in Malaysia. CHRO is particularly concerned for the two nine-month pregnant women, Tuan Zi (Chin Refugee Center File No. 354-05C08617) and Fam Tang (UNHCR File No. 03/MLS/08317), and the children who remain in detention despite their vulnerable positions, including:
Ngun Tha Lian, age 1 (File No. 05/MLS/05505)
Tial Tim Rem, age 3 (File No. 05/MLS/05505)
Van Lian Bawi, age 3 (File No. 354-05C08617)
Siang Hlei Sung, age 4 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Jumania Sung Tin Par, age 6 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Ngun Za Hlei, age 7 (File No. 05/MLS/05505)
Cem Cem, age 7 (File No. 05/MLS/05503)
Tha Chin Iang, age 10 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Solomon, age 12 (File No. 05/00579)
Cung Uk Thawng, age 12 (File No. 04/07211)
Sui cin, age 13 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Philip, age 14 (File No. 05/00579)
Conditions inside Malaysia’s immigration detention facilities rise to the level of torture, with prisoners being given inadequate food, clothing, and accommodations, in addition to being subjected to verbal and physical abuse by the guards. Those arrested for immigration offenses are increasingly charged with canings, a serious penalty that leaves deep, permanent scarring. This situation is of serious concern for anyone in detention; however, for the numerous women and children, particularly pregnant women and very young children, the situation is critical.
The raids conducted by immigration enforcement agents during this past June are just two of a series of raids that have been conducted on an almost weekly basis since the Government of Malaysia launched operations targeting undocumented migrants in March 2005. For members of the Chin community, frequent raids and security abuses is an exhausting but unavoidable reality of daily existence in Malaysia. As expressed by Nani, a Chin refugee and volunteer with the Chin Refugee Center in Kuala Lumpur, “I’m really tired of this situation but [we] have to face whatever comes.”
CALL TO ACTION
By continuing to conduct immigration raids that target the refugee community and results in the detention, abuse, and deportation of large numbers of particularly vulnerable persons, Malaysia is in violation of basic human rights standards. Malaysia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as a sitting member of the UN Human Rights Council, however, women and children in Malaysia, including pregnant woman and very young children, continue to be exposed to and unprotected from security abuses, hostile immigration raids, and increasingly violent crimes committed with impunity.
Under international human rights law, these violations should not have to be a part of daily existence for asylum seekers and refugees living in Malaysia. CHRO calls on the Malaysian government to:
• Discontinue immigration raids and RELA operations that target members of the refugee and asylum seeking community.
• Immediately and unconditionally release all refugees and asylum seekers currently in immigration custody, particularly women and children.
• Cooperate with and work in conjunction with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to protect the inherent rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
• Respect and uphold its international legal obligations to protect and promote the human rights of all people living within its borders.
CHRO also calls on the international community to join our efforts. Please write to or contact the following Malaysian officials in support of our demands:
Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62502 Putra Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel : + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax : + 60 3 8888 3444
Datuk Radzi Sheikh Ahmad
Minister of Home Affairs
Level 12, Block D1, Parcel D
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62546 Putra Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 8886 8000
Fax: +60 3 8889 1613
Tuan HJ. Wahid Bin MD Don
Director-General of Immigration Department
Director General Office
Immigration Department of Malaysia
Level 1-7 (Podium) Block 2G-4, Precint 2
Federal Government Administration Centre
62550 Putrajaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 8880 1000
Fax: +60 3 8880 1200
Dato’ Ishak Mohamed
Enforcement Director of Immigration Department
Director General Office
Immigration Department of Malaysia
Level 1-7 (Podium) Block 2G-4, Precint 2
Federal Government Administration Centre
62550 Putrajaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 8880 1000
Fax: +60 3 8880 1200
News & Events
CHIN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP IN DENMARK HELD ITS 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE SUCCESSFULLY
Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
19 July, 2007: The fourth annual conference organised and hosted by Denmark Chin Christian Fellowship (DCCF) ended successfully on Sunday, last week. It was held from 13th July to 15th July, 2007 in Ribe, the oldest town of Denmark , in the southwest Jutland .
Nearly 500 people including more than 20 fellow Chins from Germany , Norway and former General Secretary of Zomi Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Chum Awi and his wife from the US joined the conference. “We have been blessed to have had this great opportunity. This is the only time in a year we, all the Chins from different parts of Denmark , can come, meet and praise the Lord together. This year we are very happy that we have some fellow Chins from other countries participating with us,” said Pu Sang Nawl, chairman of DCCF.
“We also had time to discuss about various issues concerning religious, social, educational and literary movements for the Chins in Denmark for the future. It really went well and as a result, we achieved better than we expected,” added Pu Sang Nawl as he thanked all the participants for their respective contributions to the success of the conference.
The fifth DCCF’s annual conference will be held in Bornholm, an island in the east of Denmark in July, 2008.
As of June, 2007, there are about 520 Chins currently living in Denmark . Most of them came as refugees on UNHCR’s resettlement programs mainly from Malaysia , Thailand and India .
DCCF was established as a parent body responsible for looking after nine different areas across Denmark where the Chins have worship services in their own language.
CHINS HELD THE INTRA-ETHNIC CONSTITUTION CONSULTATIVE MEETING
31st July, 2007
Chiangmai, Thailand: Leaders of the Chin Forum and the Chin National Council, the biggest alliance of the Chin political parties and civil societies working for the common interests of the Chin people, have successfully concluded their first ever joint Chinland Constitution Consultative Meeting dated 24 – 28 of July, 2007 at the Thai-Burma border.
Clearly, the first consultation on the future Chinland Constitution jointly organized by leaders of Chin Forum and CNC is viewed as the first step in the right direction towards strengthening and nurturing the spirit of national unity and cooperation among the Chin people which will bring about many positive things for the Chins everywhere.
Participating in the five-day long consultative meeting includes six representatives of the Chin Forum, Pu Lian Uk, Salai Kipp Kho Lian, Salai Victor Biak Lian, Dr. Salai Ngun Cung Lian, Dr. Sui Khar, Pu Nang Lian Thang, and three representatives of the CNC, Pu Lalramlawma, Pu Khua Uk Lian, Pu Thang Len Piang, and three resource persons, Professor David C. Williams, John S. Hasting Professor of Law at Indiana University school of law and Consultant of the Chin Forum, Prof. Susan H. Williams of Walter W. Foskett Professor of Law at Indiana University School of law, Honorable Judge David H. Hamilton of The United States District Judge, Southern District of Indiana, and as observers Amy Amy Alexander, the legal consultant of the Chin Human Rights Organization and Salai Za Ceu Lian, the Global College of the University of Winnipeg intern 2007.
Founded in 1998, with the objective of keeping in place beforehand the Chin State Constitution in draft, the Chin Forum has been holding a number of meetings and constitutional seminars which resulted in the successful publication of the fourth initial draft of the Chinland Constitution, leading now drafters to work on the fifth initial draft of the Chinland Constitution. Since its inception, the Chin Forum stands as a common platform open to all Chins of different political views or affiliations interest in working together for common democratic objectives. Now the preparation to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the birth of the Chin Forum is underway. Besides, to highlight the roles of the Chin forum and its existence, leaders the CF are planning to publish the Chin forum magazine.
Commenting on the significant role of the Chin forum, Salai Victor Biak Lian, a former Secretary of Chin Forum Management Body says, “Looking back to where we started, I believe that we have come a long way in terms of accomplishing some of our political objectives that we initially set forth. Among others, we not only produced the fourth initial draft of our constitution, as the years go by, we also witness that people in the movement are able to differentiate between a democratic movement and the vital role played by constitution in democracy and they understand now that constitution indeed is the real hearth of federalism and democracy which I think is so important.”
“From the very beginning of our mission, the fact that we are always result and solution-oriented, I believe that we attained our goals to a certain degree and hope that we continuously make a progresses which will lead us to attain our ultimate goals eventually”, he adds.
Firmly believing that restoring democracy will not ensure the rights of self-rule and self-determination for their homeland, along with their ethnic nationalities counterparts, the Chin leaders have been taking initiatives systematically to start preparing their own constitutions with a view to protect their national rights and distinct national identity constitutionally.
Sharing his views on the ongoing role that the Chin Forum is undertaking, current coordinator of the Chin Forum, Salai Kipp Kho Lian says, “It opens up a new place in the federal movement of the political exiles of Chinland. We manage to fill up gap between two ages and I believe that many effective new initiatives will follow soon.”
The Chins held their intra-ethnic consultative meeting following their participations in the 6th seminar on the state Constitutions dated 16-20th July, 07 where delegates of the non-Burman ethnic nationalities together and jointly discussed and amended the drafted constitution of the Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee (FCDCC) members designed for the future federal Union of Burma.
THE 6TH SEMINAR ON THE STATE CONSTITUTIONS KICKS OFF
By Salai Za Ceu Lian
Chinland Guardian
16th July, 2007
Chiangmai, Thailand: Scheduled for five days from the 16th to 20th July, 2007, the 6th Seminar on State Constitutions, attended by representatives from the seven major ethnic nationalities groups of Burma, the Arakan, the Chin, the Kachin, the Karen, the Karenni, the Mon, and the Shan, gets kicked off at the Thai-burma border area.
This State Constitution Seminar was initially born out of the joint effort made by the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD-LA) under the title of Supporting Committee for State Constitution (SCSC) in 2001. Now, following the emergence of the Ethnic Nationalities Council (www.encburma. org), a council trying to unite the whole ethnic groups of Burma under one umbrella, this ongoing state Constitution Seminar is organized under the Constitutional Affairs Committee (CAC), one of the major committees of the Ethnic Nationalities Council.
Knowing that restoring democracy is only the first step towards achieving the rights of self-determination, the national reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic groups in the Union of Burma, the non-Burman ethnic leaders are taking initiatives, preparing their own state constitution in anticipation of the future democratic Union of Burma insistently since the year 2001.
“We need to be united in order for us to attain our common political goals such as the rights of equality, our birth rights of the national self-determination, and the establishment of a federal Union . Without unity and close cooperation among us, we will not attain our goals”, strongly urges, Pado Saw Ba Thin Sein, Chairman of the Ethnic Nationalities Council, in his opening remarks. “We need to accept the responsibility to work together and accept the need to have unity, national reconciliation, and federal Union in Burma ”, he added.
Coincidentally, this 6th seminar on State Constitutions comes politically at a historic time when the State Peace and Development Council of Burma (SPDC) is hell bent on aiming to wrap up their over-decade long national convention slated to begin on the 18th of July, 2007, a convention of which many Burma’s affair analysts called it as “Sham National Convention” and believe that the military junta this time a round will legalize its military rule in the Burma’s constitution.
On the question of whether or not the SPDC’s ongoing national convention will bring about a genuine democracy and national reconciliation in Burma, the ENC clearly states its position saying,“ The Ethnic Nationalities Council believes that the SDPC’s seven-point ‘road map’ and its National Convention will not lead to democratization and the establishment of a federal union. The current Convention as it stands will only serve to legitimize the military dictatorship.”
With this national convention being at the stage of the final round as said by the regime, many predict that the military junta would force its hand-picked peoples attending national Convention to ratify their constitution, which is the first of their seven steps on a roadmap to democracy and will call a general election.
Looking at the initiatives consistently taken to hold a series of seminar on constitutions, one can dub that the ethnic leaders of Burma are reconvening the second Taungyi conference, the first of which was convened in Taungyi, Shan State in 1961under the leadership of Prince Sao Shwethike, the first democratically elected President of the Union of Burma, whereby the ethnic leaders representing their respective national states were attempting to address the internal political conflict of Burma through a peaceful mean, focusing on the constitutional reforms in accordance with the Panglong Agreement signed in 1947.
In the end of his remarks during the Taungyi Conference in 1961, Captain Mang Tung Nung, a Chin leader attending the conference said, “May there be the Unity among our ethnic groups and may the Union of Burma be stable”, which reflected his commitment to the integration of the Union of Burma.
Like in the past, in the ongoing effort to uproot the military dictatorship from power and achieve the democratic reform based on a genuine federal system in Burma, despite the long years of their marginalization and alienation politically from the mainstream political decision making process, the non-Burma ethnic groups are still opting for rebuilding a Union together with the Burman ethnic group under federalism.
While working for the restoration of democracy in a military ruled Burma, with a commitment to claming and defending the rights of ethnic nationalities, political and national, the Ethnic Nationalities Council has been internationally advocating for the emergence of tripartite dialogue involving the ethnic groups as one of the three main dialogue partners to break decades long Burma’s political deadlock in line with a series of resolutions passed and strongly recommended by the United Nations since 1994.
A Personal Reflection On The Outcomes Of The Chin Student Conference
By Salai Za Ceu Lian
President of Chin Student Union of North America (CSUNA)
Our much anticipated conference, the first Chin Student Conference of North America, a historic gathering of Chin Students studying at various Universities and Colleges across the United States of America and Canada was indeed successfully accomplished at Indianapolis, Indiana, USA for the first time in the history of Chin people living in North American Continent. From a two-day long conference on 19th and 20th of August 2007, we, all participants of the conference unanimously agreed to form the Chin Student Union of North America (CSUNA), a union charged with mission to carry out aims and objectives identified from the conference.
For the accomplishment of our first conference, there are organizations and individuals who contributed their times, ideas, hard labours, and Money. First of all, our heartfelt appreciation goes to those initiators, the central convening committee members, and the local Indiana working committee for toiling day and night in preparation for the successful implementation of our Conference. Without their hard works and contributions, the conference could not have been organized. Thank you all for dutifully playing each of your assigned works which made our conference a reality.
We also would like to thank our people living in Indianapolis for their warm receptions, cozy welcomes and accommodations. Most importantly, we want to express our earnest thanks to the Indiana Chin Baptist Church (ICBC), for their financial assistance and support. We thank them for generously allowing us used their church and instruments for our meetings and worship service. At the same time, our thanks also go to our two Chin music bands, Abandon from Maryland and Lai & Heart from Indianapolis for entertaining our audience with Chin, Burmese and English songs. Fully knowing the important roles played by students in the shaping of our nation buildings in future, we are thankful that our national figures like Pu Lian Uk, Dr. Lian Hmung Sakhong, Pu Kap Thio, and Pu Val Thang could also wholeheartedly join us and support us.
Reflecting on the conference, I am very impressed to see all participants sharing their views and ideas enthusiastically without any misunderstanding whatsoever on any issues we discussed. The conference atmosphere was so friendly, pleasant, shining, joyous, promising, and so relaxing. I saw the smiling faces, an __expression of satisfaction and delight from the inner feelings of each participant. In particular, I am so thrilled to say that the tribal mindset, divisive and unhealthy one for our people in the past, no longer has a place among the Chin University Students. What a wonderful news of encouragement for our Chin people a round the world yearning for our Chin national Unity, the word once seemed to be flying in the air! Way to go students!
For a person like myself, who always advocate for the elimination of tribally driven sentiment in our efforts to work for our national unity, nothing is greater than seeing the expressed willingness and commitment of our people, young and old, to work together for the common interest of our Chin people. Our recent conference already paved the way, a way in which all of us regardless of what tribes we belong but focus on our oneness as a distinct people with a shared destiny, to work hand in hand for the all-round development of our Chin people. I believe that our love for the Chin people’s togetherness and historical responsibility calling upon us to protect and preserve our motherland will always unite us as we move forward. To this end, we the CSU of North America fully commit ourselves in bridging the gab.
Following our announcement of the formation of the Chin Student Union of North America, it was so uplifting for us to have received the congratulatory notes and best wishes from our fellow brothers and sisters around the globe. On behalf of the CSUNA, I am extending our sincere appreciation to Salai Kipp Kho Lian and his colleagues in the Chin Forum, leaders of the Chin National Front, fellow students of the Chin Students’ Union of New Delhi, and all individuals for your warm greetings and words of congratulation. Keeping in mind your wishes and trusts in our Union and in accordance with our objectives, I want to say to you that my colleagues and I in the Chin Student Union of North America will do our best for the educational development of our Chin people. To make our vision reality, as you know that we, students are with limited resources, we need your supports in any way you can. Therefore, I am appealing to you, parents and youth, to do your part and support us so that we can do together something tangiRhododendron News
Volume X. No. III. July-August 2007
Chin Human Rights Organization
www.chro.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Human Rights Situations in Chin State
• New Family Registration Drive Poses Burdens for Chin Families
• Burmese Soldiers Living off Chin Villagers
• SPDC Soldiers Looted Money from Pig-trader
• SPDC Army Killed 50 Pigs for Food without Compensation
• Exemption for Religious Pastor Repealed
• SPDC Army Extorted 20,000 Kyats From Trader
• Army Officer Confiscates 7.6 Million Kyats from Trader
• New Tax Imposed on Fruit Merchants in Southern Chin State
• New Restrictions on Farmers and Travelers Southern Chin State
• Unlawful Seizure of Goods and Money
• More Extortion by Burmese Army
Refugee Situations
• Hundreds Arrested in Malaysia Immigration Raids
• More Chin Refugees Rounded Up in Malaysia Immigration Raids
• URGENT ACTION APPEAL: Refugee Women and Children Detained in Continuing Raids in Malaysia
• Chins held the intra-ethnic Constitution Consultative meeting
News & Events
• Chin Christian Fellowship In Denmark Held Its 4th Annual Conference Successfully
• Chins held the intra-ethnic Constitution Consultative meeting
• The 6th Seminar on the State Constitutions Kicks off
Human Rights Situations in Chinland
NEW FAMILY REGISTRATION DRIVE POSES BURDENS FOR CHIN FAMILIES
July16, 2007: Each household in Thantlang Township is to pay 10, 000 Kyats to local authorities as a fee for making a family registration book, according to an order issued during the second week of July by Pu Lai Tu, Chairman of the township Peace and Development Council.
The head of each local administrative body has been instructed to levy 10,000 per family in their jurisdiction. Households who have one or more of their family member absent during the registration drive are to pay twice the amount as a penalty.
All households in the township are to enter each family member in the new registration book at the latest by July 24, 2007. “This is just a ploy to squeeze more money out of the public. There should have been advance notice since some family members many not be home in time for the registration deadline,” one local villager complained.
BURMESE SOLDIERS LIVING OFF CHIN VILLAGERS
July 18,2007: A company commander from LIB-140, (Matupi based battalion) positioned at Pasin village of Matupi Township, Southern Chin state, in the first week of July, sent a letter requsitioning ration supplies. All villages in the area must supply rations for the Burmese soldiers according to the order, which was sent to villagers together with a bullet, local person reported to CHRO.
The said company commander had started collection of rice and chickens from villages in his jurisdiction. Each family in the area must supply 3 cups of rice and one chicken every month. In July, he sent to the villagers bullets wrapped in a letter as a warning for punishment for anyone who failed to meet his demands.
Many Chin villagers are now are living in fear as they are being compelled to supply food and curry for the Burmese soldier under threat and intimidation.
SPDC SOLDIERS LOOTED MONEY FROM PIG-TRADER
July 20, 20007: A Burmese Soldiers led by a sergeant from LIB-266, (Hakha based battalion) stationed at Than Tlang town, Northern Chin state, looted 15000 Kyats from a pig trader at the India-Burma border area, CHRO has learned.
The victims, Mr. Ceu Cung and his two mates were herding five pigs for sale in Mizoram, India. On June 05, 2007, they met with a group of Burmese soldiers on patrol between Sialam and Hmunhalh village.
frontline activist Burmese soldiers, between Sia Lam village and Hmun Halh village. The amry Segeant said, “You people are doing illegal trading, and for punishment you have to pay15000 Kyats. You can not pass on the journey without this”.
Mr. Ceu Cung had bought five pigs from the nearby villages to sell them across the border in Mizoram to support his family. “The presence of Burmese soldiers in Chin State is nothing more than hardship for the people. They are just living off the local people by looting and confiscating what little possessions we have,” said a cross-border trader.
SPDC ARMY KILLED 50 PIGS FOR FOOD WITHOUT COMPENSATION
July22, 2007: A Burmese army company commander from LIB-304 (Matupi based battalion) posted at Matupi town, Southern Chin state, had shot dead (50) pigs that were let loose from their sties, a villager reported to CHRO.
Since the establishment of the army camp in Maadu village in 2005, Lt. Captain Than Aung had issued an order to keep pigs in the sty and not to let them loose in the village. However, some pigs jump off their enclosures. Taking advantage of this situation, the soldiers had shot and killed at least 50 pigs belonging to the villagers and taken to their camp for food.
The last incident happened in May 2007 when U Awm’s pig was shot and killed and then taken to the army camp for food. The owner of the pig was not only compensated but his request for some of the meat was turned down by the soldiers.
Villages such as Am Sai, Khengca, and Thong Na are facing the same situation as their domestic animals are hunted whenever the patrolling Burmese army arrived in their village.
EXEMPTION FOR RELIGIOUS PASTOR REPEALED
July 24, 2007: Christian religious pastors will no longer be exempted from various forms of often arbitrary taxes and levies exacted by the military government.
A chairman of Falam Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC), in last week of June 2007, issued an order repealing all exemptions that were previously in place for Christian Pastor, a local person has told CHRO.
On 27 June 2007, TPDC chairman had called a meeting of (200) Christian Pastors from (35) associations at his office. In the meeting, he declared that all exemption privileges for religious pastors had been revoked effective immediately. Like common citizens, Christian pastors will give be required to pay all applicable levies and contributions demanded by the military government” he added.
According to existing laws, religious leaders from all religions are exempt from taxes and other contributions, including forced labor, demanded by the government. “This latest revocation of such privileges is seen by the public as an open attempt to discriminate Christians in Chin State,” said a local person.
SPDC ARMY EXTORTED 20,000 KYATS FROM TRADER
July 26,2007: A Burmese army column commander Lt. Captain Myo Ku Ku Zaw from LIB-228 (Kalay based battalion), positioned at Zimpi village of Tedim township, Northern Chin state, on July 13, 2007, seized 20,000 Kyats from a trader, an eye witness reported to CHRO.
Lt. Captain Myo Ku Ku Zaw, on getting information that U Pa Pawng was carrying dry areca nut on 20 horsebacks from Kalay town to sell it to Mizoram, ambushed him near Buk Phir village. The victim was asked to pay 1000 Kyats per horse and threatened him to be handed over to the Battalion Commander at Rih town, if he did not pay the money.
It has been learnt that Lt. Captain and his men also looted money from other traders unfairly who travel on the same route.
ARMY OFFICER CONFISCATES 7.6 MILLION KYATS FROM TRADER
July 28,2007: Lieutenant Tein That Oo, company commander of Burmese army from LIB- 269 (Tedium based battalion), positioned at Darkhua village of Tawn Zang Township, Northern Chin state, on July 15, 2007, unlawfully seized more than 7 million Kyats from a trader, CHRO has learned.
The victim who is a resident of Kalay town was carrying millions of Kyats worth of Indian-made tobacco on horsebacks with 160 horses when he met with the Lieutenant and his eight men on the way between Tlan Mual and Tui Tang Villages. The officer then asked the trader to pay 100, 000 Kyats per horse or face severe punishment. He was given three days to come up with the money.
Many crosss-border traders are facing increasing extortion by Burmese army units patrolling the Indo-Burma border. The settlement of Darkar army camp and Zimpi temporary army camp has become a threat to commercial activities, as the Burmese soldiers started asking money for following this Indo-Burma commercial route.
SPDC AUTHORITY LEVIED TAX FROM FARMERS
July 05, 2007: Township revenue department officer, U Soe Nyein of Palatwa town, Southern Chin state, has levied excessive tax from farmers in areas, according to CHRO source. Farmers must pay 10, 000 Kyats per each farmland they own, according to the latest order.
U Soe Nyein has asked all village council chairmen in the areas to collect data on farmers and their properties for the purpose of taxing them accordingly by the Township Revenue Department.
In issuing the order, he further stressed that any excess farmland or inaccurate reporting of farmland area would result in seizure of that farmland.
Some villagers who were unable to get money had to borrow money with high rates of interest for fear of punishment and seizure of their farmland by the authorities according to the local source.
NEW TAX IMPOSED ON FRUIT MERCHANTS IN SOUTHERN CHIN STATE
July 07,2007: Major Aung Lawi Oo, Commander of LIB-289 (Based in Palatwa town) Southern Chin state, in the first week of May this year, released an order requiring all merchants selling fruits to pay high taxes, according to CHRO source.
According the the Major’s order, anyone selling fruits produced in Paletwa to other areas must pay the taxes. He has assigned Coropral Tun Aye to collect 50,000 Kyats per boatload of fruit shipment. Those unable to pay the money are to have their goods confiscated, the order reads.
The said army commander also prohibits transporting rice to other regions. The rule breakers are to be fined 3000 Kyats for punishment, according a local person.
NEW RESTRICTIONS ON FARMERS AND TRAVELERS SOUTHERN CHIN STATE
July 10, 2007: A deputy batallion commander of LIB-304, Major Zaw Win Niang, posted at Sabawngte Village of Matupi Township, Southern Chin state, on May 16th, 2007, has issued an order prohibiting farmers to stay overnight at their farms due to purported security reasons, CHRO has learned. Those who must stay at their farms overnight are to get proir written permission from the army.
Major Zaw Win Nyin asked all 12 village administrative councils and nearby the army camp to issue permission letter to people travel ring in the regions. Travelers without permit letter are liable for severe punishment. Farmers are directed not to sleep night at the farm more than three days.
Moreover, the army officer has compelled 20 persons from surrounding villages to work on road construction for three whole days.
The forced labor has adversely affected villagers’ crop productions as some of their crops were spoiled due to late harvesting.
UNLAWFUL SEIZURE OF GOODS AND MONEY
July 13, 2007: A Burmese army sergeant and his men, based in Vuangtu army camp of Than Tlang Township, Northern Chin state, from LIB-269, (Tidim based battalion), had unlawfully confiscated money and rice from from a Bungkhua villager.
On June 19, 2007, the partolling army unit seized Kyats 50, 000 and a bag of rice from Bungkhua village who was travelling between Hriangkhan and Ruafiang villages. “The sergeant accused the victim, who does not understand Burmese, of trying to sell foodstuff to Mizoram and took away all he had, including 50, 000 Kyats.
The victim repeatedly requested them to give him back ration and money, as his family has left no more rice to eat. It is learned that many villages in Chin State are now beginning to face food shortage, due to bamboo flowering year.
MORE EXTORTION BY BURMESE ARMY
July 14, 2007: Burmese Soldiers, based in Vuangtu Army Camp of Than Tlang Township, Northern Chin state, fromLIB-269 (Based in Tidim), on June 16, 2007, extorted 300,000 Kyats from two traders, according to CHRO source.
The victims are from Lawngtlang village and were transporting pigs to Mizoram for sale when they were caught at Lungcawipi village by the soliders. All their money was then seized by the army.
Refugee Situations
HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN MALAYSIA IMMIGRATION RAIDS
By: Amy Alexander
25 June 2007-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Over 200 asylum-seekers and UNHCR-recognized refugees from Burma have been rounded up and taken into custody after early morning immigration raids today conducted by Malaysia’s controversial People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) in Kuala Lumpur neighborhoods.
The raids began around 1:30 am and took place in KL’s urban neighborhoods of Jalan Imbi and Sempaing, where a large number of asylum seekers and refugees from Burma’s Chin State reside. Approximately 217 were arrested and reportedly taken to Lenggeng detention camp located two hours outside of KL. This is the second large-scale raid in this area of KL since the beginning of the year.
Among those arrested are many UNHCR-recognized refugees, including several who are scheduled to be resettled to a third country within the next couple weeks and months. The Coordinator for the Chin Refugee Center (CRC), a community-based organization working to provide assistance to the Chin population living in Malaysia, was one of those arrested during the raid. He and his family are scheduled for resettlement to the United States in September. The Coordinator was eventually released after intervention by UNHCR and human rights organizations.
This raid is just one of a series of raids that have been conducted since the Government of Malaysia launched operations targeting undocumented migrants in March 2005. Despite criticism by human rights groups, conditions have only gotten worse for undocumented migrants as harassment, arrests, and deportations increased during the last year. Those arrested for immigration offenses are increasingly charged with canings, a serious penalty that leaves deep, permanent scarring. Conditions inside Malaysia’s detention facilities meanwhile remain deplorable, with detainees being given inadequate food, clothing, and accommodations, in addition to being subjected to verbal and physical abuse by the guards.
RELA, the untrained task force largely responsible for conducting immigration raids, has been the focus of consistent complaints for human rights violations and abuse of power. RELA has been responsible for deliberate property damage, extortion, harassment, indiscriminate and unlawful arrests, and physical assaults resulting in serious injuries and even death. Increasingly, there are calls for an end to RELA’s activities, with the Malaysia-based human rights group SUARAM issuing two separate complaints to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) within the last year and the Malaysian Bar calling for RELA’s immediate disbandment in March. Within this last month, RELA succumbed to pressure by numerous human rights groups to do away with the bounty system, which provided RELA agents with 80RM (US$25) for each arrest and led to increased abuses among the untrained volunteers.
Meanwhile the Malaysian Government has refused to address these issues. Rather, in February of this year, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad reportedly criticized the 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.” At the beginning of this month, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid further reiterated that Malaysia will not recognize refugees.
Hundreds of thousands of Chins have been forced to leave their homes in Burma to escape severe ethnic and religious persecution committed by the military regime of Burma. They arrive in Malaysia in search of some sense of security. Currently, there are over 23,000 Chin asylum seekers and refugees living in Malaysia. Instead of finding safety, the Chin people are the constant target of harassment, arrest, detention, and deportation by the Malaysian authorities. In addition, they are unable to work, receive an education, access healthcare services, or find acceptable living accommodations. With the UNHCR registration process closed since July 2005, obtaining refugee status or any protective documents from the UNHCR is difficult. As a result, life for the Chins in Malaysia is full of abuses and uncertainties.
MORE CHIN REFUGEES ROUNDED UP IN MALAYSIA IMMIGRATION RAIDS
By: Amy Alexander
31 July 2007-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: About 60 refugees and asylum seekers from Burma’s Chin State are now behind bars in Malaysia awaiting an uncertain future after immigration raids yesterday in Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Lokeyew neighborhood. About 20 women and children and 25 UNHCR-recognized refugees are among those rounded up during the raid.
Almost half of those arrested yesterday morning are recognized refugees with valid UNHCR documents. Many are in the final stages of a long process to be resettled to a third country, with some scheduled to depart within the next couple weeks. Instead of boarding an airplane to begin a new life abroad, they now face the possibility of being loaded onto a lorry bound for the Thai border.
The raid began in the early hours of the morning yesterday in Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Lokeyew neighborhood, where a large number of refugees and asylum seekers from Burma’s Chin State reside. This neighborhood was targeted just one month ago in a similarly-styled raid, which resulted in the arrest and detention of mostly women and young children.
The raid was conducted by Malaysia’s controversial RELA or the People’s Volunteer Corps, an untrained, volunteer civilian unit endowed with considerable enforcement powers. This year RELA has come under increasing criticism for its member’s reckless conduct and abusive actions during raids, not only by international human rights groups but also by organization’s within Malaysia’s civil society. In March, the Malaysian Bar joined the Malaysia-based human rights group SUARAM in calling for RELA’s immediate disbandment following repeated complaints of torture and other human rights violations.
Despite continued condemnation by members of the international community and human rights organizations, yesterday’s raid is one of a mounting number of recently conducted raids targeting the refugee and undocumented migrant community in Malaysia. Since the beginning of this year, several hundreds of refugees and undocumented migrants have been caught up in similar immigration raids.
Malaysia refuses to recognize or give any protections to refugees or asylum seekers living within its borders. Rather, Malaysia has been conducting operations to target undocumented migrants as well as refugees and asylum seekers since March 2005. In February of this year, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad reaffirmed the government’s intolerance for the refugee population by criticizing the 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.”
Hundreds of thousands of Chins have been forced to leave their homes in Burma to escape severe ethnic and religious persecution committed by the military regime of Burma. They arrive in Malaysia in search of some sense of security. Currently, there are over 23,000 Chin asylum seekers and refugees living in Malaysia. Instead of finding safety, the Chin people are the constant target of harassment, arrest, detention, and deportation by the Malaysian authorities. In addition, they are unable to work, receive an education, access healthcare services, or find acceptable living accommodations. With the UNHCR registration process closed since July 2005, obtaining refugee status or any protective documents from the UNHCR is difficult. As a result, life for the Chins in Malaysia is full of abuses and uncertainties
URGENT ACTION APPEAL: REFUGEE WOMEN AND CHILDREN DETAINED IN CONTINUING RAIDS IN MALAYSIA
June 26, 2007
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: CHRO has recently been informed that just two days after Malaysia’s RELA forces rounded up and detained more than 200 refugees and asylum seekers from the Jalan Imbi neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian immigration authorities conducted a second raid, this time in Kuala Lumpur’s Lok Yew neighborhood. This second raid resulted in 42 more refugees and asylum seekers being sent to the already overflowing Lenggeng immigration detention facility.
Whereas most of the Chins detained during the June 25th raid are UNHCR recognized refugees awaiting resettlement to third countries, a majority of those detained during the June 27th raid are women and young children. From these two incidents alone, over 36 children, two pregnant women, and 19 UNHCR-recognized refugees who are within months of being resettled to third countries are now in Malaysian immigration detention facilities facing an uncertain future.
CHRO is concerned for the safety and security of all those who are detained in Malaysia. CHRO is particularly concerned for the two nine-month pregnant women, Tuan Zi (Chin Refugee Center File No. 354-05C08617) and Fam Tang (UNHCR File No. 03/MLS/08317), and the children who remain in detention despite their vulnerable positions, including:
Ngun Tha Lian, age 1 (File No. 05/MLS/05505)
Tial Tim Rem, age 3 (File No. 05/MLS/05505)
Van Lian Bawi, age 3 (File No. 354-05C08617)
Siang Hlei Sung, age 4 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Jumania Sung Tin Par, age 6 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Ngun Za Hlei, age 7 (File No. 05/MLS/05505)
Cem Cem, age 7 (File No. 05/MLS/05503)
Tha Chin Iang, age 10 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Solomon, age 12 (File No. 05/00579)
Cung Uk Thawng, age 12 (File No. 04/07211)
Sui cin, age 13 (File No. 354-06C03661)
Philip, age 14 (File No. 05/00579)
Conditions inside Malaysia’s immigration detention facilities rise to the level of torture, with prisoners being given inadequate food, clothing, and accommodations, in addition to being subjected to verbal and physical abuse by the guards. Those arrested for immigration offenses are increasingly charged with canings, a serious penalty that leaves deep, permanent scarring. This situation is of serious concern for anyone in detention; however, for the numerous women and children, particularly pregnant women and very young children, the situation is critical.
The raids conducted by immigration enforcement agents during this past June are just two of a series of raids that have been conducted on an almost weekly basis since the Government of Malaysia launched operations targeting undocumented migrants in March 2005. For members of the Chin community, frequent raids and security abuses is an exhausting but unavoidable reality of daily existence in Malaysia. As expressed by Nani, a Chin refugee and volunteer with the Chin Refugee Center in Kuala Lumpur, “I’m really tired of this situation but [we] have to face whatever comes.”
CALL TO ACTION
By continuing to conduct immigration raids that target the refugee community and results in the detention, abuse, and deportation of large numbers of particularly vulnerable persons, Malaysia is in violation of basic human rights standards. Malaysia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as a sitting member of the UN Human Rights Council, however, women and children in Malaysia, including pregnant woman and very young children, continue to be exposed to and unprotected from security abuses, hostile immigration raids, and increasingly violent crimes committed with impunity.
Under international human rights law, these violations should not have to be a part of daily existence for asylum seekers and refugees living in Malaysia. CHRO calls on the Malaysian government to:
• Discontinue immigration raids and RELA operations that target members of the refugee and asylum seeking community.
• Immediately and unconditionally release all refugees and asylum seekers currently in immigration custody, particularly women and children.
• Cooperate with and work in conjunction with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to protect the inherent rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
• Respect and uphold its international legal obligations to protect and promote the human rights of all people living within its borders.
CHRO also calls on the international community to join our efforts. Please write to or contact the following Malaysian officials in support of our demands:
Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62502 Putra Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel : + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax : + 60 3 8888 3444
Datuk Radzi Sheikh Ahmad
Minister of Home Affairs
Level 12, Block D1, Parcel D
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62546 Putra Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 8886 8000
Fax: +60 3 8889 1613
Tuan HJ. Wahid Bin MD Don
Director-General of Immigration Department
Director General Office
Immigration Department of Malaysia
Level 1-7 (Podium) Block 2G-4, Precint 2
Federal Government Administration Centre
62550 Putrajaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 8880 1000
Fax: +60 3 8880 1200
Dato’ Ishak Mohamed
Enforcement Director of Immigration Department
Director General Office
Immigration Department of Malaysia
Level 1-7 (Podium) Block 2G-4, Precint 2
Federal Government Administration Centre
62550 Putrajaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 8880 1000
Fax: +60 3 8880 1200
News & Events
CHIN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP IN DENMARK HELD ITS 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE SUCCESSFULLY
Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
19 July, 2007: The fourth annual conference organised and hosted by Denmark Chin Christian Fellowship (DCCF) ended successfully on Sunday, last week. It was held from 13th July to 15th July, 2007 in Ribe, the oldest town of Denmark , in the southwest Jutland .
Nearly 500 people including more than 20 fellow Chins from Germany , Norway and former General Secretary of Zomi Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Chum Awi and his wife from the US joined the conference. “We have been blessed to have had this great opportunity. This is the only time in a year we, all the Chins from different parts of Denmark , can come, meet and praise the Lord together. This year we are very happy that we have some fellow Chins from other countries participating with us,” said Pu Sang Nawl, chairman of DCCF.
“We also had time to discuss about various issues concerning religious, social, educational and literary movements for the Chins in Denmark for the future. It really went well and as a result, we achieved better than we expected,” added Pu Sang Nawl as he thanked all the participants for their respective contributions to the success of the conference.
The fifth DCCF’s annual conference will be held in Bornholm, an island in the east of Denmark in July, 2008.
As of June, 2007, there are about 520 Chins currently living in Denmark . Most of them came as refugees on UNHCR’s resettlement programs mainly from Malaysia , Thailand and India .
DCCF was established as a parent body responsible for looking after nine different areas across Denmark where the Chins have worship services in their own language.
CHINS HELD THE INTRA-ETHNIC CONSTITUTION CONSULTATIVE MEETING
31st July, 2007
Chiangmai, Thailand: Leaders of the Chin Forum and the Chin National Council, the biggest alliance of the Chin political parties and civil societies working for the common interests of the Chin people, have successfully concluded their first ever joint Chinland Constitution Consultative Meeting dated 24 – 28 of July, 2007 at the Thai-Burma border.
Clearly, the first consultation on the future Chinland Constitution jointly organized by leaders of Chin Forum and CNC is viewed as the first step in the right direction towards strengthening and nurturing the spirit of national unity and cooperation among the Chin people which will bring about many positive things for the Chins everywhere.
Participating in the five-day long consultative meeting includes six representatives of the Chin Forum, Pu Lian Uk, Salai Kipp Kho Lian, Salai Victor Biak Lian, Dr. Salai Ngun Cung Lian, Dr. Sui Khar, Pu Nang Lian Thang, and three representatives of the CNC, Pu Lalramlawma, Pu Khua Uk Lian, Pu Thang Len Piang, and three resource persons, Professor David C. Williams, John S. Hasting Professor of Law at Indiana University school of law and Consultant of the Chin Forum, Prof. Susan H. Williams of Walter W. Foskett Professor of Law at Indiana University School of law, Honorable Judge David H. Hamilton of The United States District Judge, Southern District of Indiana, and as observers Amy Amy Alexander, the legal consultant of the Chin Human Rights Organization and Salai Za Ceu Lian, the Global College of the University of Winnipeg intern 2007.
Founded in 1998, with the objective of keeping in place beforehand the Chin State Constitution in draft, the Chin Forum has been holding a number of meetings and constitutional seminars which resulted in the successful publication of the fourth initial draft of the Chinland Constitution, leading now drafters to work on the fifth initial draft of the Chinland Constitution. Since its inception, the Chin Forum stands as a common platform open to all Chins of different political views or affiliations interest in working together for common democratic objectives. Now the preparation to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the birth of the Chin Forum is underway. Besides, to highlight the roles of the Chin forum and its existence, leaders the CF are planning to publish the Chin forum magazine.
Commenting on the significant role of the Chin forum, Salai Victor Biak Lian, a former Secretary of Chin Forum Management Body says, “Looking back to where we started, I believe that we have come a long way in terms of accomplishing some of our political objectives that we initially set forth. Among others, we not only produced the fourth initial draft of our constitution, as the years go by, we also witness that people in the movement are able to differentiate between a democratic movement and the vital role played by constitution in democracy and they understand now that constitution indeed is the real hearth of federalism and democracy which I think is so important.”
“From the very beginning of our mission, the fact that we are always result and solution-oriented, I believe that we attained our goals to a certain degree and hope that we continuously make a progresses which will lead us to attain our ultimate goals eventually”, he adds.
Firmly believing that restoring democracy will not ensure the rights of self-rule and self-determination for their homeland, along with their ethnic nationalities counterparts, the Chin leaders have been taking initiatives systematically to start preparing their own constitutions with a view to protect their national rights and distinct national identity constitutionally.
Sharing his views on the ongoing role that the Chin Forum is undertaking, current coordinator of the Chin Forum, Salai Kipp Kho Lian says, “It opens up a new place in the federal movement of the political exiles of Chinland. We manage to fill up gap between two ages and I believe that many effective new initiatives will follow soon.”
The Chins held their intra-ethnic consultative meeting following their participations in the 6th seminar on the state Constitutions dated 16-20th July, 07 where delegates of the non-Burman ethnic nationalities together and jointly discussed and amended the drafted constitution of the Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee (FCDCC) members designed for the future federal Union of Burma.
THE 6TH SEMINAR ON THE STATE CONSTITUTIONS KICKS OFF
By Salai Za Ceu Lian
Chinland Guardian
16th July, 2007
Chiangmai, Thailand: Scheduled for five days from the 16th to 20th July, 2007, the 6th Seminar on State Constitutions, attended by representatives from the seven major ethnic nationalities groups of Burma, the Arakan, the Chin, the Kachin, the Karen, the Karenni, the Mon, and the Shan, gets kicked off at the Thai-burma border area.
This State Constitution Seminar was initially born out of the joint effort made by the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD-LA) under the title of Supporting Committee for State Constitution (SCSC) in 2001. Now, following the emergence of the Ethnic Nationalities Council (www.encburma. org), a council trying to unite the whole ethnic groups of Burma under one umbrella, this ongoing state Constitution Seminar is organized under the Constitutional Affairs Committee (CAC), one of the major committees of the Ethnic Nationalities Council.
Knowing that restoring democracy is only the first step towards achieving the rights of self-determination, the national reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic groups in the Union of Burma, the non-Burman ethnic leaders are taking initiatives, preparing their own state constitution in anticipation of the future democratic Union of Burma insistently since the year 2001.
“We need to be united in order for us to attain our common political goals such as the rights of equality, our birth rights of the national self-determination, and the establishment of a federal Union . Without unity and close cooperation among us, we will not attain our goals”, strongly urges, Pado Saw Ba Thin Sein, Chairman of the Ethnic Nationalities Council, in his opening remarks. “We need to accept the responsibility to work together and accept the need to have unity, national reconciliation, and federal Union in Burma ”, he added.
Coincidentally, this 6th seminar on State Constitutions comes politically at a historic time when the State Peace and Development Council of Burma (SPDC) is hell bent on aiming to wrap up their over-decade long national convention slated to begin on the 18th of July, 2007, a convention of which many Burma’s affair analysts called it as “Sham National Convention” and believe that the military junta this time a round will legalize its military rule in the Burma’s constitution.
On the question of whether or not the SPDC’s ongoing national convention will bring about a genuine democracy and national reconciliation in Burma, the ENC clearly states its position saying,“ The Ethnic Nationalities Council believes that the SDPC’s seven-point ‘road map’ and its National Convention will not lead to democratization and the establishment of a federal union. The current Convention as it stands will only serve to legitimize the military dictatorship.”
With this national convention being at the stage of the final round as said by the regime, many predict that the military junta would force its hand-picked peoples attending national Convention to ratify their constitution, which is the first of their seven steps on a roadmap to democracy and will call a general election.
Looking at the initiatives consistently taken to hold a series of seminar on constitutions, one can dub that the ethnic leaders of Burma are reconvening the second Taungyi conference, the first of which was convened in Taungyi, Shan State in 1961under the leadership of Prince Sao Shwethike, the first democratically elected President of the Union of Burma, whereby the ethnic leaders representing their respective national states were attempting to address the internal political conflict of Burma through a peaceful mean, focusing on the constitutional reforms in accordance with the Panglong Agreement signed in 1947.
In the end of his remarks during the Taungyi Conference in 1961, Captain Mang Tung Nung, a Chin leader attending the conference said, “May there be the Unity among our ethnic groups and may the Union of Burma be stable”, which reflected his commitment to the integration of the Union of Burma.
Like in the past, in the ongoing effort to uproot the military dictatorship from power and achieve the democratic reform based on a genuine federal system in Burma, despite the long years of their marginalization and alienation politically from the mainstream political decision making process, the non-Burma ethnic groups are still opting for rebuilding a Union together with the Burman ethnic group under federalism.
While working for the restoration of democracy in a military ruled Burma, with a commitment to claming and defending the rights of ethnic nationalities, political and national, the Ethnic Nationalities Council has been internationally advocating for the emergence of tripartite dialogue involving the ethnic groups as one of the three main dialogue partners to break decades long Burma’s political deadlock in line with a series of resolutions passed and strongly recommended by the United Nations since 1994.
A Personal Reflection On The Outcomes Of The Chin Student Conference
By Salai Za Ceu Lian
President of Chin Student Union of North America (CSUNA)
Our much anticipated conference, the first Chin Student Conference of North America, a historic gathering of Chin Students studying at various Universities and Colleges across the United States of America and Canada was indeed successfully accomplished at Indianapolis, Indiana, USA for the first time in the history of Chin people living in North American Continent. From a two-day long conference on 19th and 20th of August 2007, we, all participants of the conference unanimously agreed to form the Chin Student Union of North America (CSUNA), a union charged with mission to carry out aims and objectives identified from the conference.
For the accomplishment of our first conference, there are organizations and individuals who contributed their times, ideas, hard labours, and Money. First of all, our heartfelt appreciation goes to those initiators, the central convening committee members, and the local Indiana working committee for toiling day and night in preparation for the successful implementation of our Conference. Without their hard works and contributions, the conference could not have been organized. Thank you all for dutifully playing each of your assigned works which made our conference a reality.
We also would like to thank our people living in Indianapolis for their warm receptions, cozy welcomes and accommodations. Most importantly, we want to express our earnest thanks to the Indiana Chin Baptist Church (ICBC), for their financial assistance and support. We thank them for generously allowing us used their church and instruments for our meetings and worship service. At the same time, our thanks also go to our two Chin music bands, Abandon from Maryland and Lai & Heart from Indianapolis for entertaining our audience with Chin, Burmese and English songs. Fully knowing the important roles played by students in the shaping of our nation buildings in future, we are thankful that our national figures like Pu Lian Uk, Dr. Lian Hmung Sakhong, Pu Kap Thio, and Pu Val Thang could also wholeheartedly join us and support us.
Reflecting on the conference, I am very impressed to see all participants sharing their views and ideas enthusiastically without any misunderstanding whatsoever on any issues we discussed. The conference atmosphere was so friendly, pleasant, shining, joyous, promising, and so relaxing. I saw the smiling faces, an __expression of satisfaction and delight from the inner feelings of each participant. In particular, I am so thrilled to say that the tribal mindset, divisive and unhealthy one for our people in the past, no longer has a place among the Chin University Students. What a wonderful news of encouragement for our Chin people a round the world yearning for our Chin national Unity, the word once seemed to be flying in the air! Way to go students!
For a person like myself, who always advocate for the elimination of tribally driven sentiment in our efforts to work for our national unity, nothing is greater than seeing the expressed willingness and commitment of our people, young and old, to work together for the common interest of our Chin people. Our recent conference already paved the way, a way in which all of us regardless of what tribes we belong but focus on our oneness as a distinct people with a shared destiny, to work hand in hand for the all-round development of our Chin people. I believe that our love for the Chin people’s togetherness and historical responsibility calling upon us to protect and preserve our motherland will always unite us as we move forward. To this end, we the CSU of North America fully commit ourselves in bridging the gab.
Following our announcement of the formation of the Chin Student Union of North America, it was so uplifting for us to have received the congratulatory notes and best wishes from our fellow brothers and sisters around the globe. On behalf of the CSUNA, I am extending our sincere appreciation to Salai Kipp Kho Lian and his colleagues in the Chin Forum, leaders of the Chin National Front, fellow students of the Chin Students’ Union of New Delhi, and all individuals for your warm greetings and words of congratulation. Keeping in mind your wishes and trusts in our Union and in accordance with our objectives, I want to say to you that my colleagues and I in the Chin Student Union of North America will do our best for the educational development of our Chin people. To make our vision reality, as you know that we, students are with limited resources, we need your supports in any way you can. Therefore, I am appealing to you, parents and youth, to do your part and support us so that we can do together something tangible, which will generate positive results for our people.
After the conference, with view of telling our people about the purpose of our Conference and the vision of our Student Union, we travelled to see our Chin communities in Battle Creek and Washington DC Area. We held public discussions where we exchanged our views for the betterment of our Union and development of our Chin people educationally. To cut the point short here, knowing that having a lot of educated peoples for a minority people like our Chin people is absolutely essential, we are motivated by the fact that our community leaders are so willing and ready to work with us in the days to come.
As a matter of fact, we are really encouraged by the warm receptions and full supports of our community leaders for our Student movement. Indeed, education that we talk about is not just for the students of the day, but also for our people as a whole. We want all our parents and community leaders to understand that what we are doing now is for generations to come so that our young men and women value the importance of education. Meeting with our community leaders were really fun and encouraging. The only thing that disappointed us this time was that we didn’t have enough time to meet with all our people that we really wanted to. But, I hope that they understand the limited time that we have. As we move forward and will be doing more of this kind of exposure trips to various states, I hope that we will have a better chance.
In our endeavour to work for the educational development of our Chin people, we sincerely request that you all openly and thoughtfully share with us your ideas, advices, and concerns on any issues concerning our Union. The Chin student Union of North America stands for our Motherland and our people! Thank you.
An Unsent Postcard From Chinland
Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
19 June 2007
A postcard clad in messages and wishes
Well patterned like hand-woven Chin dresses
For the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi
Who’s for the truth held in custody
The postcard wearing a bunch of orchids –
A flower of perfection and merits
For the one whose love bears no borders
And again whose smiles fear no armours
The postcard remains unsent and hidden
For no postman be allowed or in taken
Though stands the Post Office as usual
There’s no service actual but virtual
The postcard written and signed in Chinland
Though not dispatched by the Junta’s hand
Like a Chinnish breeze in our hearts whispers
That the joy and hope today never withers