Burma has been ruled by a military dictatorship since 1962. Sadly, many of us are in exile, forced to leave our homes that we can never return until there is change in our country. While living in exile, we miss our country, the love of our people, the mountains, the rivers, our friends and our homes in Burma.
Tragically, our country has become a killing field. Everyday, men and women cry for their lives, children cry for food, teenagers cry for education and adults cry for healthcare. The destruction of livelihoods and the suffering of all ethnic nationals in Burma under the military regime has become worse and worse. Civilians, including women and children, are suffering grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity. Women and children are living in constant terror under the threat of rape, killings and starvation.
People outside Burma do not know the pain of our people and as a result the world does very little to help our country. Thailand alone is home to a large number of Burmese immigrants who are living in refugee camps, as registered economic migrants and as illegal immigrants. Based on reliable sources, a large number of Rohingya refugees are in Bangladesh and Malaysia. A large number of Chins are in India, Kachin in China and some Burmese people are living in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and South Africa. When all are taken into account, there are five main reasons why Burmese migrate all over the world; low earnings in Burma; unemployment in Burma; family poverty; traumatic experiences such as forced labour; and a lack of qualifications for employment.
For many Burmese refugees, escape from Burma does not mean escape from fear. Many Burmese refugees are too scared to speak out against the regime. They are afraid for family members left behind, and constrained by fear imposed on so many generations that for many it is becoming ingrained, a part of Burmese culture. The refugee resettlement program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to third countries such as USA, Canada, Australian, New Zealand and EU countries help some Burmese to escape the brutal dictatorship, which is appreciated but it is not the ideal solution for Burma.
‘I Want to Go Home’ is a new campaign being organized by the Burma Campaign UK, which will collect information and stories of individual people of every nationality in Burma in order to bring CHANGE and help us raise awareness of Burma. Kachin, Chin, Arakine, Mon, Karen, Karenni, Shan, Burman and all other ethnic minorities will have the opportunity to speak out through this campaign and let the world know about our suffering under the military regime.
This campaign will help us to urge the international community to put pressure on the State Peace and Development Council to stop immediately all human rights violations against civilians and engage in meaningful political dialogue to ensure the democratisation process in Burma.
Every single story will be put on www.iwanttogohome.net and so it will enable the whole world to read the stories of Burmese people. It will be promoted in media such as newspapers and magazines. We will aim for it to be published in a book and we will hold awareness raising events.
I have been away from Burma for many years and I miss my home. I want to go home now. The only way that will take me to my home is ‘FREEDOM’. Let us write the true history of our country and tell the world about our pain and a story of oppressed people but demanding freedom. A history of people who want to go home and live in peace. Do you want to go home? If so, please help now.
Zoya Phan
Campaign Coordinator
The Burma Campaign UK
Action:
Please join the campaign by helping us answer the following questions. Let us know if we can use your name or alias if you want to use one. We would be pleased to have your email address to stay in touch. The contact information you give us will be treated confidentially.
Questions for ‘I want to go home’
What is your name, age and gender. (If you prefer not to use your real name, please give us an alternative name that we can use as well)
- Where did you grow up? Please briefly describe your life in Burma. Eg, living environment good, bad?
- Why did you leave Burma? What are the reasons why you do not live in Burma?
- What is your happiest memory? Or sad memory? Why happy and why sad?
- What are your hopes for the future, individually and for your country and people?
- Where do you live today, what is your present situation? How is life in the country you live now compared to Burma?
- What would you like the international community to do to help?
If possible, could you please answer at least 200 words per question explaining about yourself? Please feel free to add any further comments that are not included in the above questions. Please send your testimony to: info@burmacampaign.org.uk
For more information on the work of the Burma Campaign UK visit www.burmacampaign.org.uk
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