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Thailand plans widespread crackdown on Burmese
pro-democracy groups
Burma Campaign UK, August 13, 2002
The Burma Campaign UK has received information from reliable sources in
Thailand, that the Thai government is planning a massive crackdown on Burmese
dissidents and ethnic leaders based in Thailand. The crackdown is thought to
include planned raids on pro-democracy and human rights offices, the arrest of
dissidents and the confiscation of sensitive documents.
It is thought that this move is an attempt by Thailand to appease Burma’s
military rulers – to end the diplomatic war of words that began following
cross border fighting between the two countries in May this year. John Jackson,
Director of the Burma Campaign UK says: “Such a crackdown would be a massive
blow to Burma’s pro-democracy and ethnic movements. People who have already
fled oppression in Burma, now face arrest and detention in Thailand”.
Until now Thailand has allowed Burmese dissidents to operate peacefully on Thai
soil. However, it now appears Thai Prime Minister Thaksin seems to be bowing to
pressure from Burma’s military rulers in Rangoon. It is rumoured that the
Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a friend of Burma’s leading military
Generals, may have argued for the suppression of Burmese activists in Thailand.
Some activists have said they are prepared to risk arrest and the confiscation
of their assets rather than go into hiding. Reports suggest that Burmese women
of Shan and Akha ethnicity doing human rights work in the North of Thailand have
already had their activities investigated and stopped by Thai police. Other
Burmese groups have closed their offices and disposed of important documents.
Thailand is the most important conduit of information from inside Burma: much of
the information gathered on human rights, refugees and humanitarian issues comes
from Burmese working peacefully in Thailand.
One Bangkok based observer suggested: “The authoritarian rule of Rangoon’s
military seems to be contagious. If the Thai authorities crackdown on Burmese
dissidents here, they will create a stronger, more confident and more aggressive
dictatorship across their border. That won’t be good for Thailand or Burma.”
Burmatoday
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