August 18, 2009
Recently, the Burmese military regime renewed scorched earth campaign in Central Shan State, which has driven an estimated 10,000 villagers from their homes.
According to data compiled by the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF), the Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN) and other Shan community based organizations, since July 27, 2009, the regime’s troops have burned down over 500 houses, scores of granaries, and forcibly relocated almost 40 villages, mostly in Laikha township in Shan State. This is the largest forced relocation since 1996-1998, when over 300,000 villagers were uprooted in southern and central Shan State, most of whom have since fled to Thailand.
Meanwhile in the Nyaunglebin District, northwestern Karen State, and the Papun District, Eastern Karen State areas, more than 46 SPDC Army battalions deployed as part of an ongoing offensive in Karen State started from 2006 to up to date. The Burma Army personnel continue to demand forced labour and extort money and supplies from local communities as they continued patrols. Many occasion, villagers were used as human mine sweeper and they were also quite restricted access to farmland that cause severe food shortages. Elsewhere in the district where SPDC control is more comprehensive, villagers reported that forced labour and land confiscation for road construction are very common.
On August 11, the regime sentenced another 18 months in detention to the Noble Peace Laureate and Honorary Canadian Citizen Daw Aung San Suu Kyi despite requests from the world leaders including UN Secretary General and ASEAN Chair to release all political prisoners including her.
Burmese regime, the State Peace and Development Council, has ignored numerous demands from the UN, world leaders, and the international community that the SPDC to start genuine national reconciliation process with participation of ethnic representatives.
Senior General Than Shwe and the military regime have committed crimes against humanity on its own citizens, including killings, systematic ethnic cleansing, rape, forced relocations.
The free and democratic world has the responsibility to intervene on behalf of humanity.
We, the undersigned organizations, call for the government of Canada’s support and UN Security Council to adopt the following binding resolutions without further delay.
1. The imposition of an arms embargo.
2. The establishment of an inquiry commission in regard to crimes against humanity.
3. Increase humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people from Burma.
Karen Canadian Community
Karenni State Youth (Canada)
Vancouver Shan Community
Zo National Union
Mon Community of Canada
Chin Human Rights Organization
Kachin Canadian Organization of Canada
Arakanese Canadian Society (Toronto)
Contact Persons:
Saion Nammao 1-604-598-9192
Zaw Wai Kyaw 1-416-358-2318
Mahn kyaw Swe 1-519-434-0139