Statement from the Ethnic Nationalities in Canada Originally

from Burma

August 18, 2009

Recently, the Burmese military regime renewed scorched earth campaign in Central
Shan State, which has driven an estimated 10,000 villagers from their homes.

According to data compiled by the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF), the Shan
Women's Action Network (SWAN) and other Shan community based organizations,
since July 27, 2009, the regime's troops have burned down over 500 houses, scores of
granaries, and forcibly relocated almost 40 villages, mostly in Laikha township in Shan
State. This is the largest forced relocation since 1996-1998, when over 300,000
villagers were uprooted in southern and central Shan State, most of whom have since
fled to Thailand.

Meanwhile in the Nyaunglebin District, northwestern Karen State, and the Papun District,
Eastern Karen State areas, more than 46 SPDC Army battalions deployed as part of an
ongoing offensive in Karen State started from 2006 to up to date. The Burma Army
personnel continue to demand forced labour and extort money and supplies from local
communities as they continued patrols. Many occasion, villagers were used as human
mine sweeper and they were also quite restricted access to farmland that cause severe
food shortages. Elsewhere in the district where SPDC control is more comprehensive,
villagers reported that forced labour and land confiscation for road construction are very
common.

On August 11, the regime sentenced another 18 months in detention to the Noble Peace
Laureate and Honorary Canadian Citizen Daw Aung San Suu Kyi despite requests from
the world leaders including UN Secretary General and ASEAN Chair to release all
political prisoners including her.

Burmese regime, the State Peace and Development Council, has ignored numerous
demands from the UN, world leaders, and the international community that the SPDC to
start genuine national reconciliation process with participation of ethnic representatives.

Senior General Than Shwe and the military regime have committed crimes against
humanity on its own citizens, including killings, systematic ethnic cleansing, rape, forced
relocations.

The free and democratic world has the responsibility to intervene on behalf of humanity.

We, the undersigned organizations, call for the government of Canada’s support and UN
Security Council to adopt the following binding resolutions without further delay.

1. The imposition of an arms embargo.

2. The establishment of an inquiry commission in regard to crimes
against humanity.
3. Increase humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people
from Burma.
Karen Canadian Community
Karenni State Youth (Canada)
Vancouver Shan Community
Zo National Union
Mon Community of Canada
Chin Human Rights Organization
Kachin Canadian Organization of Canada
Arakanese Canadian Society (Toronto)

Contact Persons:
Saion Nammao 1-604-598-9192
Zaw Wai Kyaw 1-416-358-2318
Mahn kyaw Swe 1-519-434-0139