Winding Down, 1-11-08, Thai/Burma Border Trip, Winter 2007-08

By Jodi

We hopped in the van for one last excursion. Nung, our dear driver, was taking us to a waterfall. First, he said, we'd see his mother.

She lived at a refugee camp but was in the nearby hospital getting tested for her resettlement in Australia. We quickly met her, and left Nung to talk with her and his family, while the International Organization for Migration bus nearby sat to take her and a group of other refugees being resettled back to her camp. We felt in the air an ambivalence to resettlement. Nung was not going to Australia, though he told us he'd go visit her. And people idealize resettlement, getting out of the refugee camp with its bamboo shacks, but often find the transition to a developed country with slick flush toilets, huge supermarkets, refrigerators and the absence of familiarity and community difficult.

After he kissed his mom goodbye, he drove us to the waterfall, a gorgeous spot where we climbed the rocks, swam, hiked and enjoyed a glorious sunset against the banana trees. (Was there anything sweeter than Thailand's tiny bananas?) Heading back to Mae Sot for our last night, we wound down the mountain, past a huge hill tribes market, road construction workers wearing bandanas over their faces to keep out the dust, and the mountains and Burma in the distance. We couldn’t think of a more fitting end to our trip. We had lots to think about and an enormous amount of follow-up to make this not just a learning experience but a meaningful trip for the Burmese struggle. Still, the social justice aspect of the trip, with 14 committed fellow students and one professor who got along well and surrounded by this utterly glorious country: We couldn’t think of a better way to spend our winter vacation of 2007-08 than our Alt Break to the Thai/Burma border.

We thank our fantastic student leaders, Caitlin Burnett and Anna Koval, who did a phenomenal job pulling together every detail of the entire trip; our professor, Dan Chong; and Shoshanna Sumka and the community service office for this opportunity.

Democratic Party for a New Society, 1-9-08, Thai/Burma Border Trip, Winter 2007-08

By Jodi

This meeting with the Democratic Party for a New Society was our very last, our 22nd, during a 16 day period. Over red, orange, and green Fanta, the leader--a somber, no-nonsense man--explained that his wasn’t a political party per se. Founded by he and other student activists when the military junta came into power in 1988, it plays a supporting role to get Aung Su Kyi’s NLD party, legally elected by the people in 1990 but never allowed to serve because of the military junta.

Working in collaboration with other organizations, it has several main thrusts:

• To build unity and understanding among the various ethnic groups.
• To continue the struggle to overthrow the military, through the use of underground cells in Burma. It supported what the leader said was a “people’s movement led by monks” in 2007, for example, during which some of its member were killed, some arrested. “Sometimes you have to take the risk,” DPNS’s leader told us resolutely. You carefully devise a strategy, knowing some will be arrested.

Unlike the Burmese Lawyer’s Council, DPNS believes strongly in dialogue, and the external community should pressure the SPDC to engage in dialogue with the opposition parties. The DPNS also believes in economic sanctions. When asked to elaborate on the pros and cons of economic sanctions, the leader smiled slowly and demurred that an explanation “would take a very long paper.” Then he responded simply (and, in our view, unsatisfactorily), in a sentence, that sanctions would be more effective than non-intervention, referring to ASEAN’s strategy.

Perhaps, but what about the impact of economic sanctions on the people? And realistically, would the strong military junta ever agree to dialogue? Once again, we were reminded of the complexities of this issue and the long suffering of its people these past 20 years.

And once again we were reminded of the unbelievable commitment and hope of these opposition groups. Each of the exiled groups we'd met with over these two weeks was doing its part, each with its own specific objectives and target audiences, to get back home.

We wished them success and thanked them for their hard work. More, we considered how we could combine their needs with the action steps the other groups had suggested to us. Based on what we had learned from each of our 22 meetings, once we get back home we plan on devising our own objectives. It will be a long action plan; we would need to find the best ways we could use our skills, contacts, and position in the United States to help the people of Burma--both in the country and in exile--to realize their dream of freedom and democracy.

Action Step

• Pressure the U.S. and U.N. Security Council to consider economic sanctions and press the military junta to engage in dialogue with the opposition groups.

Karen Women's Organization, 1-9-08, Thai/Burma Border Trip, Winter 2007-08

By Jodi

The Karen Women's Organization offers services to people at all stages or their lives. Babies receive soap and diapers, for example. The organization also has a long tradition of caring for "unaccompanied children"--orphans and other children who come to refugee camps without their parents to study--securing funding to provide emotional support, housing, clothing, mosquito netting, bed mats, and blankets. Young people receive education about reproduction health. KWO also has a leadership training school. (Interestingly, the resettlement program has resulted in a brain drain, which we've heard about at other groups.) For women in refugee camps and IDPs, and group provides income-generation projects such as training on sewing machines and rice threshing. Safe houses provide shelter for those who suffer from violence. Elderly care includes home visits, extra fresh vegetables and meat to the older people when they are sick, and a ceremony to honor the elderly. The Shattering Silences report documents sexual violence committed by Burmese military against women in Karen state.

We were awed by the amount of services this organization--in exile, operating in Thailand illegally, with just 40 staff, all of whom volunteer, receiving only a small living stipend--offers. For our part, we bought hand-woven, beautifully embroidered merchandise--scarves, wallets, pants for Kedenard and Carl in vibrant colors, which they wore on this, our last full day in Thailand.

Burma Lawyer’s Council, 1-9-08, Thai-Burma Border Trip, Winter 2007-08

By Amerita

“The situation in Burma is different than the situation in Sudan. … The outside world cannot see at all times, in all areas, what is going on in Burma.”

After apologizing profusely for being late, we entered the Burma Layer’s Council's meeting area and gasped: the tables were full of plates of all kinds of fresh tropical fruits and bottles of Fanta and water, and each seat had a packet complete with information about the organization and a schedule…which they followed religiously. As Kedenard put it in our reflection late, “When we first entered the room, I thought, 'Man we better have our stuff together!'”

The mission of the Burma Lawyer’s Council is to “contribute to the transformation of Burma where all the citizens enjoy the equal protection of law under the democratic federal constitution which will guarantee fundamentals of human rights." The council does this by "vigorously opposing all unjust and oppressive laws [and] helping restore the principle of the rule of law.” The Burma Lawyer’s Council carries out its mission through several key areas:

1. Analysis of cases, laws, crucial events regarding Burma and the existing judicial system in Burma
2. Legal action and campaigns
3. Published works, constitutional campaign, working with the Global Justice Center
4. Legal aid
5. Documentation
6. Project facilitation and public relations
7. Advanced internship and training programs
8. Peace Law Academy

The group's presentation was thoroughly organized and well-planned, touching on each key area. The council was particularly interested and enthusiastic about us helping the organization carry out its goals. So we asked; “What plan of action should we carry out or what in particular do you want us to do when we return to the U.S.?”

First the organization made sure to point out that the situation in Burma needs more attention in the UN Security Council, because unlike the situation in Sudan that has gained considerable global attention, the situation in Burma is not saturated in one particular area of the country or on what particular issues; it is several issues in several areas, and information is not easily transmitted out of the country. Second, the council highlighted the need for criminal accountability of the crimes committed by the military regime. “We must focus on criminal accountability,"the staff told us. "We focus too much on political dialogue.”

Action Steps

• Work with the Global Justice Center (www.globaljusticecenter.net/) to pressure the UN Security Council. The following link describes the council's work on this initiative:
  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/29/opinion/opinion_30050677.php
• Write an article detailing the situation to urge the Security Council to continue pushing forward the situation in Burma to the international community and to hold the government accountable in the International Criminal Court for their crimes against the people of Burma.

Social Action for Women, 1-9-08, Thai-Burma Border Trip

By Carl

We interviewed students and faculty at the middle school funded by Social Action for Women (SAW). Our initial introductions to the students were led by Zao, a former student activist in the 8-8-88 uprisings who had spent 15 years in a Burmese prison. Here at the school he teaches English and biology to kids grade seven through nine. Quite a change.

Zao explained that the children in the school were either orphaned or abandoned, receiving a significant proportion of their students from the Mae Tao clinic's orphan program. He also explained that most orphaned or abandoned in Burma crossed the border because of the lack of real educational opportunities in Burma. (Other groups have discussed the state of the Burmese educational system before – it's either non-existent or a farce in most cases.) Here students learn a variety of subjects including mathematics, science, English, social science, history, geography, and Burmese language. Students study these areas with the hope of continuing their education and taking GED examinations. Opportunities for music, art, and computer skills (they have one computer, no Internet access) are also available to the students on the weekends.

We got a chance to interact with several of the students for a little less than an hour. We each received a hand-drawn card from each of the children with a message of hope. Many of us plan to send letters in response once we return to the States and have a chance to reflect on our experiences. Strikingly, many of the students speak semi-fluently and most were willing to talk to our group members about their studies, hobbies, and experiences in Mae Sot.

Out of the 8,000 migrant worker students in Mae Sot, only 267 attend the SAW school. The school receives most of its funding from the CCP and the BMWEC. Still, the school is functioning illicitly, though it goes ignored by the Thai authorities (like many of the other non-registered organizations we've met). Despite Thai non-interference, the school has to be wary because of their illegal status – they've even removed the kindergarten after neighboring households complained about the noise. Regardless, the programs continue and the school hopes to expand to include a 10th grade next year.

Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association, 1-9-08, Thai-Burma Border Trip

By Jodi

The next time you buy apparel from Nike, Old Navy, or Tommy Hilfiger, check the label. If it says "Made in Thailand," consider the Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association, which we visited today.

More than 100,000 migrant workers from Burma live in the Mae Sot area, and more than half are working illegally. Driven to Thailand by the deteriorating economic situation since the military took power as well as human rights abuses--rape, murder, and forced relocation, for example--many work in the 40 knitting, garment, chopsticks, and other factories.

They're working illegally because they must be registered by their employers, who don't want to spend the 3,500 bhat (33 baht=$1) to do so. And since the police and factory owners are buddies, the factory owners have no incentive to do the right thing.

When employers do register a worker, they're given a photocopy of the work permit--a useless document when a migrant worker is detained by the police. So the factories owners can exploit the people from Burma through

• 11 hour days
  
• wages about 35 to 70 bhat a day. about half the minimum wage
  
• no sick leave
• 1 day off a month
• crowded living conditions
• health hazards, such as hands being cut off at the chopsticks factory

The association (the government won't allow the word "union"), which, like other organizations we've visited, isn't legal, trains workers to organize and then sends them back to the factories. The association works with the factory workers as well as construction and agricultural workers, shopkeepers, and domestic/entertainment workers. They have helped launch 20 strikes, lodge complaints with the Labor Protection Office, and file lawsuits. For their efforts, association members have been attacked. Factory workers put out a bounty on the founder, a student activist from 8-8-88. Only since UNHCR gave him refugee status--he left the country and returned, and now keeps a low profile--does he feel safer.

Like other issues concerning Burma, it's complex. I'm not sure I would buy Nike running shoes made in Thailand because of the migrants workers--to keep them employed and help them support their families--or not buy, to protest the poor working conditions.

But I'm sure I'll remember the Burmese man who introduced the session. He was missing one leg, one arm, and three fingers on his remaining hand. Someone later told me he was former SPDC, maimed when a landmine he was setting exploded unexpectedly. Now the man, who has a kind face and soft smile, translates and writers articles for the the association.

Like I said, it's complex.

Action Steps

• Read your clothes' labels and consider the source.
• Pressure owners of the factories to have their Thai businessmen improve working conditions for the migrant workers.

Students and Youth Congress of Burma, Thai/Burma Border Trip, Winter 2007-2008, 1-8-2008

By Lauren

Throughout our time in Thailand, we have been continually reminded of the divisions and infighting between the many ethnic groups in Burma. While no one has openly admitted to prejudices against other peoples, today’s meeting was a welcome contradiction to the assumption that those differences are the primary factor holding the democracy movement back

The Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB), established in 1996, is comprised of young people from many backgrounds, all representing specific youth organizations. The 15 member organizations span from youth arms of political parties to those based on ethnicity. Despite the wide range of ethnicity, geography, religion, and political affiliation, the more than a dozen people we met sat together at one end of the table, obviously close and friendly.

As they put it, “With understanding, cooperation, and mutual trust among various nationalities of youth, we are going to pave a bright foundation for the future democratic federal union in Burma.” SYCB, structured based on democratic principles, brings young people from all over Burma together and works to create a common vision for their home. Their two main areas of focus are their women’s internship program, where representatives from all of the organizations intern for six months with SYCB- while also studying human rights, political science, and history, among other topics - and an HIV/AIDS program. While the women's program is derived from a strong emphasis on creating gender equality, the HIV/AIDS program is run in side Burma, impacting a key issue while getting around SPDC's policies against political activism.

SYCB is an ambitious organization committed to developing youth leadership and democratic priniciple. As an umbrella organization for groups focusing on a variety of issues, the common thread is that they all are building the foundation for a peaceful and democratic Burma. They produce a monthly bulletin with student perspectives on Burmese and Thai news and every two years they have a conference with representatives from all their organizations (which are based on the Thai and Indian borders).

While SYCB is growing with more organizations requesting to join, there are dangers and uncertainties. It is not uncommon for members in the Mae Sot office to get arrested by Thai authorities and have to pay an expensive bribe to get off free. They also fear SPDC informers in the marketplaces. Additionally, when invited to the World Youth Conference, they were unable to attend because there was no way they could renew their passports. There are also logistical difficulties of communication between their offices in India and Thailand.

The students we met with, despite the obstacles, have a positive outlook on the future. They have a vision of a Burma where human rights and the rule of law are respected, civil society flourishes, and the youth voice can be freely heard and listened to. They are truly inspirational.

Action Steps:

• Share information, networks, and resources
• Fundraising
• Lobby potential donors on their behalf