| A
brief history of Karen refugees and other ethnic groups in eastern
Burma border. |
|
1984:
The first refugees. 10,000 refugees. Burmese Army offensive
against KNU.
1984 to 1994: 1994, 80,000 refugees. Burmese
Army advanced along the Thai-Burma border.
1988 to 1990: Democracy movement. 1988-democracy
uprising. 10,000 students fled to border. 1990-general election,
elected MP's fled to border.
Jan 1995: The fall of Manerplaw, a long standing
KNU stronghold. More refugees crossed the border.
1995-1997: The buffer falls. Most of ethnic
resistances controlled border line felt. 1997, 115,000 refugees.
Since 1996: Forced village relocations. 2004:
154,000 refugees.
Source: TBBC Thailand Burma Border Consortium. |
| Refugee population |
- Total
number of refugees June 2004 (including Mon resettlement
sites)154,149
- Total
population Thai sites in nine refugee camps (including two
Karenni refugee camps)141,823
Source:
TBBC
Unknown
number of Shan refugees who entered Thailand are not officially
recognized as refugees. They are recognized as illegal immigrants. |
|
 ..We
would like to live as human beings, with rights, but in practice...we
are looked down upon by all sides. I know my shoes. I know my position.
A refugee is a refugee. Even if they say we have rights, in practice
it is very different to being a real human being.
Daniel
Zu
Vice chairman of Htam Hin
Abstract
from BBC report: Between Worlds-Twenty Years on the Border. Burmese
Border Consortium, now TBBC
Update on Refugees and IDPs visit
http://www.tbbc.org
|
|
