Across Pacific & Asia

 

SLAUGHTER OF ETHNIC KAREN BY BURMESE MILITARY

There are around eight million Karen living in the south-western
regions of Burma (Myanmar), making them the largest ethnic minority
group in that ethnically diverse land. Up to 40% of all Karen are
Christian, including many of the Karen leaders.

The current ruling party is the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC). The SPDC is actively engaged in the annihilation of ethnic
cultures. Around 30,000 Karen have died during the last five years
as a result of military actions. Around 300,000 Karen are
internally displaced, hiding in the jungles of Burma without food
or shelter. Many of the jungle areas are 'black areas' where the
Burmese military have permission to shoot on sight (in order to 
suppress the Karen National Union: the KNU).

There are currently 120,000 Karen refugees in camps on the Thailand
border. Even in the Thai camps the Karen are not safe as the
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a break-away militia of the
KNU, massacre Karen in the camps with the support of the Burmese
Army. Thailand is still not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention
on the Status of Refugees, so no recognition of refugee status is
available and protection is not offered.

Karen are used by the military as slaves, doing forced portering and
labouring. There have been multitudes of disappearances, tortures,
executions, rapes and murders. On 26 July, twenty-two Karen were
massacred by the Burmese Army Infantry Battalion 101. These were
men, women and children, including a breast-fed baby, a two year old
child and an eight year old girl. More villagers are missing and are
not yet counted as dead. On 31 July, the same Battalion captured,
raped and killed seven more Karen, including a nine year old girl
and a pregnant woman. Around 400 Karen from this area are fleeing
for their lives. They are being pursued by military.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* safety for the Karen in Burma and in the Thai camps. Up to 40%
  of the Karen are Christian. They supported the British during
  WW2 and were massacred by the Japanese as a result. They are our
  brothers and sisters - do not forget them.

* ASEAN, which admitted Myanmar as a member two years ago. Pray
  that ASEAN will be effective in pressuring the Burmese military
  to respect the human rights of minority groups.

* the faith of the Karen Christians to remain strong in the face
  of suffering and fear. May this be a witness to all who see it.

* Pastors and Christian workers amongst the Karen, in villages
  and camps, to be encouraged through experiences of grace and
  God's mighty hand at work in salvation and protection.
 
 
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