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EXTERNAL (for general distribution)  AI Index: ASA 16/02/95
                                     Distr: UA/SC       
                                     3 March 1995
 
Further information on UA 50/95 (ASA 16/01/95, 28 February 1995) 
- Fear for safety
 
MYANMAR        Myanmar refugees in Thailand
 
new names:     San Tun 
               "Uncle Jolly"
 
The abduction of two Karen leaders by the Democratic Karen Buddhist
Organization (DKBO), an armed group supported by the State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC, Myanmar's ruling military
authorities), have further heightened fears for the safety of
Myanmar refugees in Thailand.
 
On 1 March 1995, San Tun, a Karen Buddhist leader, was abducted at
gunpoint by some 30 members of the DKBO who had crossed the Thai
border and entered Mae Ta Wa refugee camp.  The armed group opened
fire on two Thai nationals who happened to be in the camp, seriously
wounding them. The DKBO forces reportedly told refugees that they
would return in a few days and burn the camp down.  The second
attack occurred on the following night, 2 March, also in Mae Ta Wa
camp, when "Uncle Jolly", a Karen leader, was abducted by several
armed men believed to be members of the DKBO. 
 
In the last week, at nearby Mae La Camp, unknown men deliberately
started a fire and at least one house was destroyed. In February
also at Mae La camp several Karen leaders were reportedly abducted
by forces of the DKBO and forced back to Myanmar.    These attacks
and other incidents of intimidation by the DKBO are part of a
pattern of attacks against unarmed civilians seeking refuge in
Thailand.  Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the
security of some 70,000 Myanmar refugees and urges the Royal Thai
Government to immediately provide protection for them. 
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes and airmail
letters: 
 
- urging the Myanmar military authorities to release San Tun and
"Uncle Jolly" immediately; 
 
- calling on the authorities to ensure that the DKBO and the Myanmar
armed forces do not target civilians for attack, whether in Myanmar
or across the border in Thailand.
 
APPEALS TO:
 
General Than Shwe, Chairman
 
[Salutation: Dear General]
State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road
Yangon (Rangoon)
Union of Myanmar (Burma)
Telegrams:        General Than Shwe, Yangon, Myanmar
Telexes:          21316
 
Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1
 
[Salutation: Dear General]
State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road
Yangon (Rangoon)
Union of Myanmar (Burma)
Telegrams:        Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Yangon, Myanmar
Faxes:            +95 1 229 50
 
PLEASE SEND COPIES TO: PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.  Please do
not send appeals after 20 April 1995.
 
[Please see the responses to this topic for the addresses
of diplomatic representatives in other countries]
 
 
 
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
+ the UA scheme in general, please contact:                 +
+   Ray Mitchell                                            +
+   Amnesty International British Section                   +
+   99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue                                +
+   London EC1R 4RE      email: rmitchellai@gn.apc.org      +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+