Life in Burma & in refugee camps – there and here
The latest figures show that in 2007-08, Burma became the single greatest source country of refugees brought into Australia under our humanitarian program – 2 961 out of a total of 10 799. Regionally, the intake split fairly evenly between people from Middle-East and south west Asia, people from the rest of Asia and people from Africa. The media release from Minister Chris Evans states that the first refugee camp on the Thai-Burmese border region started in 1984, and there are now 116 000 registered Burmese refugees and about 3700 unregistered refugees in nine camps along the border.
Not long ago, our newspapers and TV bulletins were dominated by examples of the major oppression inflicted on the Burmese people by the military dictatorship ruling that country. While international attention has dwindled, the suffering certainly hasn’t. This excellent and detailed piece in The New Yorker gives an idea of what daily life is like for so many in that country, and the complicity of the Burmese government in the ongoing human rights abuses.
Speaking of refugee camps, in an interesting effort at awareness raising, Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) Australia is running the first Australian tour of ‘Refugee Camp In Your City’. It is a re-creation of a refugee camp and its facilities, which aims to give people a better understanding what life is like for displaced people and refugees who have had to flee their homes.
The camps are staffed by MSF Australian returned field workers who have witnessed life in a refugee camp first-hand.
The Camp starts off in Brisbane, at South Bank, this Wednesday 27th August, through until 31st.
It then goes to the following locations:
Western Sydney: The Overflow, Sydney Olympic Park; 5-9 September
Sydney CBD: Martin Place (between Pitt & Castlereagh Sts); 13-17 September
Canberra: Glebe Park (Cnr Akuna & Bunda Sts); 20-24 September
ELSEWHERE: An interesting piece on the Lowy Institute’s blog about the failure of decades of international pressure and diplomacy to achieve any positive change in Burma.
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
Sarah Stokely
The MSF project sounds amazing – are they really not coming to Melbourne?
Aug 26th, 2008
Andrew Bartlett
Looks like they don’t get to Melbourne (and other southern capitals) until this time next year, Sarah
Aug 26th, 2008
philip travers
Critical thinking would surely suggest the Burmese cannot do what is needed to be done in that country,and there are no solutions.Bu there are planes that can drop bombs and books,writing materials,obscenities against the present government can be written in the sky,and all its neighbours who have had a hand off approach also in writing,can turn more than a blind eye.Figure out deals beforehand,and just continue as before,no military people involved,unless they want to and just circle circle around the carcass of government.Dont risk one official Non-Burmese citizen or relationships between non-Burmese citizens.You can do a hell of a lot of damage,personally knowing,not one military person Non-Burmese has to risk having something fly behind,and how many old war and other planes are around still and old war pilots interested in the sport,rather than death of letting people develop as they should.No-one need be enemies outside of Burma. And if everyone are registered with their governments enjoying a bit of sport,so no threat occurs outside of Burma between citizens and nations,new fly sports in other countries could occur as friendship games using military type targeting.Give the Military Junta a soft taste of all out war from outside,and drop a birthday cake in on his birthday, the leader,and enough birthday cakes for everyone else on that day.And Start the next bombing more daredevil practiced and disheartening to the junta.What is more real! ?Tents!? Or a taste, of war from outside if the gutsy candoers still did what they can !?
Aug 26th, 2008
Han Tun Aye
To who may concern,
I like to ask something about refuge to any country. I am Aye, Han Tun. I am from Myanmar but I am here in the Philippines for seven years wit trouble. I did not get any support from my family because they can not support me. I can not find job because I do not have working permit. I can not go back to Myanmar because if I go home the government will charge me a lot. I can not find future and As a citizen they do not have any concern. their concern is to get money from citizen with different ways. I finish 2 years Nursing and 2 years business management.
Honestly saying I am illegal staying in the Philippines. Please do not tell this to any one for reason because I am afraid of I might get trouble and go back to Myanmar for nothing. I do not like to say against about my country but the government is greedy, selffish. I can not go other countries to help my family, myself and others.
If You can help me I like to apply for refuge. As a refuge I might save and improve many thing in life.
I hope and pray that you can help me.
Sincerely
Han Tun Aye
Sep 16th, 2008
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