Indian rebels forcing Burmese (Chin) villagers to flee

Apr 27, 2009 (DVB)–Indian separatist rebels who have taken up base in Burma’s Chin state are now forcibly moving into locals’ houses and causing them to flee their village, say a Chin human rights group.The rebel group, from India’s Manipur region which borders western Burma, entered Hai Kyin village in Tonzang township, northern Chin state, on 13 April and stationed themselves in locals’ houses, said Min Htan Nga, coordinator of Zomi Human Rights Foundation.

The villagers, who feared they might get caught between the rebels and the Indian army’s long range weapon attacks from across the border, had fled the village and were hiding nearby.

“The rebels just came into the village and started staying in villagers’ houses without even asking for their permission,” said Min Htan Nga. “They were keeping their weapons and ammunition in the houses as well so people started fleeing the village fearing they would be caught in the crossfire with the Indian army.” This is the second time Hai Kyin villagers have fled their homes.

In February this year, a clash broke out near the village between the Manipur rebels and Burmese opposition group, the Zomi Revolutionary Army. Continued ignorance from the Burmese military regarding the Manipur rebels have led locals in northern Chin state to think the government is assisting them in their fight against the Indian government. According to reports from locals in the area, the Manipur fighters have been seen carrying out joint border patrols with the Burmese army.

Reporting by Khin Maung Soe Mina

Refugees' Obituary

Mr. Sui Bawi : The second son of Thang Bil and Fom Tial from Vomkua village in Chin State slept in God on 26/04/2009 at 12:30am. It was believed that he fell down from the apartment. His body had been taken by police and kept for further investigation. He is an asylum-seeker from Chin State, Burma. His family members had been arrested by police as they were with the body when it was found dead.

Refugee News in Highlight

• Ms. Cathy Walker, EC Chairman of UNHCR office in Geneva will visit UNHCR office in Malaysia on May 8, 2009 and meet with UNHCR staffs and refugee community leaders. (Ref: ACR)
• UNHCR office in Malaysia will issue Refugee News Letter once in three months.(Ref: ACR)
• UNHCR office in Malaysia re-accepts the pregnant women for registration but only those who got pregnant before May 1 will be registered.
• 3 new clinics for HIV and other vulnerable patients will be opened for refugees. And the clinic will start from June. The clinic needs 3 volunteer nurses and 8 workers. Those who are interested in volunteering can upload their application to UNHCR office in Malaysia before April 30. (Ref: ACR)
• Srilinka Refugee Organization visited ACR school on April 21, 2009. The visitors were two Sirilanka refugee leaders, Mis. Adna and an interpreter from UNHCR office. There are over 2000 Srilinka refugees in Malaysia. (Ref: ACR)
• Malaysian police ASP Mohd Roslan Abdullah arrested the woman who offered him RM862 to release her husband who had been nabbed in a drug raid in Saleng Tuesday. District police chief Superintendent Zulkefly Yahya said the woman is a holder of a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees card. (Ref: New Strait Times. 22/4/2009)

SPDC Authorities Shut Down Chin Church In Rangoon

Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
26 April, 2009

The local authorities in North Dagon Township, Rangoon closed down the Dai Christian Fellowship Church last Sunday, 19 April while the church pastor was attending an International Brethren Conference in Malaysia. SPDC's local authorities came to the church in the evening and ordered not to do any worship services again, according to one of the church leaders, who added: "This is the only church service that the Dai people in Rangoon have and it is becoming a rendezvous for all of us. Unfortunately, the church has been closed down and every church member feels really sad so we need your special fervent prayer for help." One of the church leaders, who asks not to be named for security reasons, said the DCF church, which has got about 70 regular church-goers, was ordered to close and stop holding church services without giving any reasons by three local authority officers.

An orphanage 'Victoria Childcare Home' with about 15 children being looked after by the Dai Christian Fellowship (DCF) was also included in the recent closure. Other churches based in Ward 46 of North Dagon were said to have been locked on the same day but the number has not yet been known. UK-based Dai-Chin pastor, Rev. Shwekey Hoipang, who co-founded the church in late 2007, told Chinland Guardian: "The Military Regime makes a series of raids to close down the churches, Bible colleges and orphanages in Rangoon in April 2009. It is clear that the Military Regime’s strategy is to destroy the Christian activities one by one and one place to another discretely. It is an ongoing plan of the Military Regime to wipe out the Christian in Burma."

It is estimated that more than 200 Dai people, one of the Chin tribes from Southern Chin State, live in Rangoon, former capital of Burma. Since December 2008, more than 100 churches in Rangoon's South Dagon and Pabedan townships have been shut down, about 50 pastors forced to sign the documents promising to stop holding church services, and 80 per cent of churches in Rangoon affected, according to a report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) early this year.

Burma's military regime has been condemned by international communities and Chin Christians across the world for its brutal yet escalating crackdowns on Christian activities in the country.

Two Chin refugee children in USA lost contact with their family

VOCR
April 24, 2009

Two Chin refugee children, who had been resettled to California State in USA together with their parents, lost contact with their parents since yesterday (April 23, 2009) evening. The children were young boys. The older one is 14 years old and his name is Tial Thawng. The younger one is only 11 years old and his name is Hning Nawl Thang. They were sons of Mr. Tial Kam and Ms. Dawt Hlei Sung @ Pi Sung Hnem. It was reported that the refugee family was resettled to USA from Malaysia 1 year and 8 monthsn ago.

The family noticed that their sons went to a library in their town San Gabriel, CA. As, they did not return home in the evening the father searched for them at the library but could not found them. Finally he made a report to the local police station. The two young boys are still missing
from home.

 (Ref: Danny Bawi Thianhlun, Laiforum)

124 Chin refugees and asylum-seekers arrested in an unexpected raid

VOCR
April 24, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Unexpected operation raid against illegal migrants was held at Off Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur on April 22, 2009. Off Jalan Imbi is where Chin Refugee Committee office is located and other Chin ethnic refugees and asylumseekers are staying there. Jalan Imbi is well known by many Chin people because CRC office is located there. Chin Refugee Committee reported that about 300 people were arrested in the raid and out of them 124 were Chin asylum-seekers who have been approaching UNHCR office through Chin refugee communities' offices. Ten persons holder of UNHCR document also were arrested in the raid.

Two pregnant women and 18 minor children; some were 2-4 years old, were also arrested in the raid. The 106 Chin refugees and asylum seekers caught up in the raid are currently being held in Bukit Jali police station. Kennedy Lal Ram Lian, coordinator of the Chin Refugee Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia said: “No one has been released, not even UNHCR card holders.” 

More than 10 Chin detainees are UNHCR-recognized refugees awaiting resettlement to a third country. A local eye witness said, "A round 5:00 Pm in the evening, police who did not ware uniform came to Imbi by motor cycle and blocked the road. After that some more police arrived to the place and started raid. The arrested ones were sitting in line before there were taken by full of 6 Lorries. The raid finished at around 8:00 pm."

CRC reported that according to their record 124 Chin people were arrested in the raid but they received the name list of only 107. ACR reported today that some arrested children are under going medical treatment. It also said that 25 people were released again today as UNHCR interfered for them and the UNHCR office would be trying to help the arrested refugees and asylum-seekers. 

As Malaysian authorities had not exercised deporting the Burmese nationals, it is assumed that the detained asylum-seekers and refugees would be detained for months. The relatives of the arrested ones worry that they would be canned.a

UNHCR office in Malaysia has changed the way to register pregnant women

VOCR

April 20, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

UNHCR office in Malaysia used to register pregnant women who were referred to the office by ACTS clinic and government hospitals. Those who have been pregnant for at least 5 months used to receive appointment date for registration interviews. 

It has been more than three years that UNHCR office no longer accepts new asylum-seekers from Burma at the office campus except those who were registered by UNHCR officers at different locations and detention centers in Malaysia, and vulnerable persons who have been approved by recognized clinics as vulnerable including pregnant women. Pregnant women used to approach government hospital and clinics in order to certify about their pregnancy. 

They brought a book issued by those medical centers and approach UNHCR office for registration as asylumseekers. Since early this year, all pregnant women had to approach ACTS clinic alone in order to get medical approval record and then approach UNHCR office for registration.

However, since last week Thursday, pregnant women were not registered as usual any more. About 20 women were known denied by the office of Thursday and a few numbers on the following days. This morning, at least 12 pregnant women have been known to be denied by the office. The office has not yet publicized its new procedure regarding registration of pregnant women till today. 

A refugee pregnant woman from Burma who approached the office this morning said, "The office told me that they no longer accept all pregnant women except those who have serious medical problems. I don't know what they mean by serious medical problems. I am so much worry now, how to deliver my baby in the hospital without any identification. I will need to risk delivering my baby at home." In average of 50 pregnant women have been approaching ACTS clinic on every Saturday. 

The reason of changing the policy regarding the way to register pregnant women has not been known. This changing of procedure also effect upon the pregnant women whose husband has been recognized as refugees.

Mind Valley Organization donates books and school materials for refugee children

VOCR
April 19, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ACR weekly newsletter reported that Madam Khristina from Mind Valley Organization and ACR leaders visited schools for Chin refugee children in Malaysia and donated food, books and school materials for the students.

They have visited to the following schools.

1. Mara community school in Kepong (96 students)
2. Kalang Zo Christian Fellowship (Three schools
with 32 students)
3. Zo school in Subang Jaya (28 students)
4. Kalang school (21) students
5. Falam community school in Kalang Baru (21
students)
6. MiE community school in Cheras (20 students)

All the above mentioned schools are operated by communities that are members in ACR.
It was also reported that Mind Valley Organization would try to assist the refugee students in the future as necessary. Mind Valley Organization is established by American Malaysia Organization and it has been helping for those who are in troubles. ACR has expressed their gratitude for their helps for the refugee children in order that the can have education.

Junta officials begin active election campaign in Chin state

Khonumthung News

15 April 2009: Junta officials are actively campaigning for the forthcoming 2010 general elections in Chin state, western Burma. They started campaigning from the last week of March 2009. The SPDC government has appointed Mr. Phoe Ta, as a campaigner for Matupi Township and Captain Laing Ding for Paletwa, among those who have been sent from Naypidaw, the new capital of Burma. Therefore, they are now campaigning for the elections in some villages, according to local people.

In fact, these people are the candidates for the general elections; therefore they are wooing Chin people for votes and are trying to persuade them to vote for them. It cannot be estimated how long the election campaign will last, since this is the first time that the candidates are campaigning for themselves. They also did not mention how they would conduct, the second campaign later in the year, locals said.

Regarding the matter, Mr. Paul Sitha, General Secretary of Chin National Front, who has been working for the revolution in Burma, said, “The real candidate will be only from the people. It cannot be said that the candidates of the government are the candidates of the people. It is
certain that the government, will act just like they did after the election of 1990, as they did not change their policies.”

Similarly, the candidates of ThanTlang Township are Mr. Hrang Hlun (ex-Township Educational Officer), Dr. Hmuh Thang (ex-Director of Health), Mr. Ngun Hrang, Mr. Hmun Kio (ex-chairman of Thantlang Township Burma Socialist Programme Party), and Mr. Nawl Ceu. The nominees are selected by the social group of Chin elderly persons and they had reported to the Township Peace and Development Council on February 19, 2009. Then the TPDC had submitted the names to Naypidaw on February 20, through the Chairman. The elderly people’s group was formed under the TPDC, as the negotiator for the problems of army personnel and
civilians. 

The group does not consult the people regarding selection of nominees for the candidates of 2010 general elections. “The chairman of TPDC has not taken any opinion from the people; they have just taken them as nominees. Indeed, Naypidaw will accept only the recognition of TPDC’s Chairman,” a local person said.

Khonumthung News: http://www.khonumthung.com/

Migrant Workers Association in Malaysia would like to announce that there will be a meeting according to the following date, time and place. MWA is an association that works for both refugees and migrant workers in Malaysia in terms of legal issue.

Date: May Day, 1st May 2009
Place: Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Time: from 3pm to 6pm.

Representatives from refugee community organizations in Malaysia are invited to attend the meeting. Please contact the following number for further information:

H/P 0169160018

Temme Lee of SUARAM and the Bar Council's Legal Aid Center,

Latheefa and Ms Renuka have arranged the venue for May 1st tentatively.

Concept Paper for Migrant Workers Association

In Malaysia the biggest problem which refugees are arrest and deported. Even women with their small babies are arrested and put them in detention camps for several weeks. Moreover, they are deported to Thai border where they are in serious danger of their safety since most human smugglers are drug addict men at the borders. 

There are still about 800 Chin refugees are in immigration camps including women and children. Due to our illegal status according Malaysia, most refugees who are also working are cheated by the employers for their wages. Due to the problems faced by the migrants in Malaysia, especially in light of the global economic crisis, an avenue for migrants to assert their rights, address issues pertaining to labor exploitation and legal protection has become increasingly crucial.

Through organization, training programs for empowerment and documentation of experiences, it is one of the objects of the project to create a labor organization akin to a trade union for migrants. A key aspect of the organization is that it will be divided into chapters according to languages spoken in sending countries. 

Organizations such as the Malaysian Trade Unions Congress and Building and Woodworkers International have expressed interest in affiliating with such an organization. The methodology of the project is that the steering of the association would be by migrants themselves with limited supervision by professionals from Suaram and the Bar Council Legal Aid Center.

Refugee Obituaries

1. Pu Huat Cin

Mr. Huat Cin @ Do Lian peacefully slept in God on April 6, leaving his beloved children and wife. He is a refugee from Fanthen village, Lautu area of Chin State, Burma. He and his family had been registered with UNHCR office in Malaysia. He unexpectedly died after he returned home from UNHCR office for his OPE interview. The cause of his death is still unknown just like many Chin refugee who died unexpectedly. Mr. Huat Cin arrived to Malasyia in 1999 and slept in God at 11:00pm on April 5, 2009. His body buried by his community in Malaysia on April 8, 2009 at Seramban cemetery according to Christian custom.

2. Salai Thein

Salai Thein (ACR-21603) son of Pu Aye Maung and Pi Myaing slept in God on April 7, 2009 at PJ University Hospital and his body was buried at Cheras cemetery on April 11, 2009. Salai Thein belongs to Chin-Asho ethnicity in Burma and is an asylum-seeker who is waiting to be registered under UNHCR protection. It was known that he died in heart attack.

Chin Refugee Committee held general

VOCR
April 12, 2009
Kualal Lumpur, Malaysia

Chin Refugee Committee held general election on April 14, 2009. New executive committee members were elected out of newly elected delegates that represent sub- Chin ethnic people group. 17 new executive committee members were elected out of 34 delegates. The Chin Refugee Committee is a social volunteer organization working to provide social needs of ethnic
Chin refugees in Malaysia who fled fear Myanmar military regime persecution and torture.

CRC is founded in July 2001 to assist Chin refugees in Malaysia. CRC volunteers are assisting Chin refugees in Malaysia as much as volunteers can help then. For example, CRC volunteers try to locate all Chin refugees and Malaysia and make regular contact to them in order to assist each

other in time of trouble. Information sharing and social assistance is the most CRC volunteers have to do. CRC is providing assistance to UNHCR in terms of finding refugees they can not contact and bring them to UNHCR office and also bring sick refugees to hospital and even prepare all the needs of case of death happen among refugees.

There are two Chin refugee offices ACR and CRC in Malaysia where all Chin sub-ethnic groups work together in unity. The Chin people are marvelously diverse by their languages. But all the Chin sub-ethnic groups are Christians. Even though the Chins have many different dialects, they are living in unity and solidarity in the same culture and common interest.