Protesters gathered in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand on 27 November to call for a stop to the ongoing civil war in Burma.
Although the government signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with some ethnic armed groups, its troops have continued to launch offensives against the non-signatory armed groups.
The attacks are especially prevalent in Kachin and Shan states where fighting is ongoing.
Ko John Bo Wi, a Chin national and a leader of the protest group said: “Now the winter season has started and it is getting cold. Because of the war the locals have to flee, hide and sleep in the jungle without blankets and other necessities during this cold winter. We should take a moment and think of how those people are suffering. We come here to urge the Burmese authorities at the embassy to have sympathy and stop the war right now.”
Following a coup in May 2014 the military took control of Thailand. They have banned gatherings of more than five people, so the Thai authorities only allowed the protesters to gather outside the Burmese Embassy for 20 minutes.
Protesters in front of Burmese Embassy (Photo: TACDB)
There were about 30 protesters made up of Chin, Shan, Bamar, Karen, Mon and Thai people.
Ko John Bo Wi said: “The difficulties the locals fleeing the war have to face include only eating what they have. But how can they live and sleep at night without any blankets as the snow is falling? We come here to urge the [Burmese authorities] to have sympathy and stop the war.
Documents outlining the protesters wishes for peace were handed to embassy official U Tun Aye.
U Myint Wai, the principal of the Dear Burma Academy said: “We came to protest at the embassy now because a free democratic election has been held and they have already announced the people’s wishes. Now, there is a way for the military move back. But a group of former military officers and other people are forcing soldiers to fight for the benefit of their businesses and to make profits for them. This is causing innocent people suffering as they are affected by the war.”
On 26 November a group of Shan civil society organizations released a statement calling for the international community to act against the crimes against humanity committed by the military in central Shan State.
Reporter Htay Win
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
