Christians in Myanmar s ethnic regions bear brunt of conflict
Military attacks on Karen and Kachin areas have displaced thousands as many attempt to flee to Thailand
Updated: May 04, 2021 06:27 AM GMT
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A protester holds a placard supporting the Kachin Independence Army and Kachin Independence Organisation during a demonstration against the military coup in Hpakant in Kachin state on May 2. (Photo: Kachinwaves/AFP)
Thousands of people including the elderly, children and pregnant women didn’t have time to pack their belongings as they fled their homes as the military launched airstrikes in Karen state in southeastern Myanmar last month.
As of April 30, more than 3,000 people had fled across the border to Thailand, and more are expected as the airstrikes continue, according to the Karen Women’s Organization.
AFP/KNU Dooplaya district
More than 30,000 Myanmar civilians have fled their villages in the eastern state of Karen and are hiding in nearby jungles following air strikes in populated areas in response to the seizure of a government military post by a rebel ethnic army, an official from an NGO said Friday.
Fighting that flared up in March in Karen has driven thousands of ethnic Karen into Thailand, while others cluster near the border. To Myanmar’s west, Bangladesh has beefed up border patrols to stop an influx of Rohingya trying to join fellow members of their ethnic minority in refugee settlements.
Counterview Desk
India s premier civil society network, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), even as seeking restoration of democracy in Myanmar and declaring support to the civil disobedience movement against the military (Tatmadaw), has demanded that the Government of India (GoI) should allow refuge to Myanmar’s citizens fleeing persecutions and violence. Criticising GoI for taking a balanced view of the Myanmar junta, an NAPM statement asked India to sign the 1951 Refugee Convention immediately, underlining, The controversial and unconstitutional Citizens Amendment Act, 2020 cannot be seen as a response to the crisis. Instead, India must develop a long-term, humane approach to the issue of refugees fleeing political persecution from their homelands.
Fresh Myanmar Conflict Keeps Thai Village On Edge By Pitcha Dangprasith and Dene-Hern Chen
04/02/21 AT 1:40 AM
A sleepy village in remote northern Thailand became a hub of activity this week when it received refugees fleeing Myanmar a sight that brought back vivid memories for its ethnic Karen residents.
Hkara, 70, said she had spent roughly 30 years crisscrossing the Salween river, which marks the frontier, to flee military attacks on ethnic rebel armies in Myanmar s eastern Karen state.
She decided to settle in the Thai village of Mae Sam Laep village two decades ago a safer bet than Myanmar, then still under full military rule, which lasted nearly 50 years.
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