An interview with President of the Chin Refugee Committee (CRC) reveals difficulties facing 8000 Chin refugees in Delhi, pending official refugee status by India. In 1988 the Burmese army launched a massive suppression campaign against Myanmar’s Chin communities, which forced many to leave their homeland.
Below is an interview with the President of the Chin Refugee Community of Burma in India by Ravi Nitesh published by CounterCurrents.org
Very few of us know much about the
political situations in our neighboring countries and there effect onthe
people there. Also, when it comes to the word ‘refugee' in India, we
generally only think about Bangladeshis and Pakistani Hindus. When it
comes to Burma (Myanmar), some of us may know about the Rohingyas
refugees. But there are other communities as well who have been forced
to find refuge elsewhere. This is about another community from Burma
called the Chin community that is struggling to live a life of dignity
in India.
Here is an account of my meeting with
some of them residing in Delhi. I conversed with Mr. David who is
working as a democratic representative of approximately 8000 refugees of
the Chin community living here. He is the President of the Chin Refugee
Committee (CRC), an organisation that addresses the problems faced by
the Chin refugees.
What were the reasons that forced you to leave Burma and seek asylum in India?
We were living in Chin State and belong
to Chin community. We practice Christianity as a religion but on ethnic
identity, we belong to the minority group of Burma. In 1988, the
Burmese army launched a massive suppression campaign against us. The
Burmese army committed atrocities against us. We faced tortures,
killings, rapes and other forms of violence. The Burmese army also tried
to recruit people from our own community to suppress us. The level of
violence and suffering was unbearable. Many people wanted to leave the
region but few succeeded to flee from there. I myself came here in the
year 2007. We did not have the right to profess our religion, we did not
have basic rights that were granted to other communities.
What is your present status in India? I mean your refugee status.
Though we are living here, India has not
granted refugee status to us. Somehow, through our struggle
forsurvival, we have been recognized as refugees by UNHCR (United
Nations High Commission for Refugees) and through this, we have received
some sort of security.
How many people are living here as refugees? Dothey all belong to the Chin Community?
Approximately 8000 people are refugees,
ofwhich you can say that roughly95% are from the Chin Community and 5%
from the Kachin Community. Some Monks are also here who are fighting for
democracy.
What are main sources of livelihood of you people here?
Basically, we are working here in the
informal/unorganized sectors such as the factories, restaurants, hotels,
shops etc. We do not have any access to formal or organized jobs.
Approximately 70% of us are illiterate.
What are the conditions of education and health available to you?
Due to UNHCR assistance, we are able to
access education and health facilities in Indian schools and hospitals
where we are authorized to go. But despite the access, our children
could not continue their schooling in Delhi schools because of the
discrimination that they faced in schools. The discrimination which was
based on our looks would also get converted into fights.
How are you continuing their education then?
The Chin community is a community of
approximately nine tribal groups. Every tribal group has developed one
of its housesintoa church wherein we run a community school to provide
basic education for that tribal community’s children. We presently teach
them basic English, basic maths and chin language.
What is the nature of support that UNHCR is extending to you?
UNHCR visits us from time to time and in
case of any difficulty, comes to help us. It also runs baby day care
centers and a basic computer course through its implementing partners.
What are the main problems here?
We face problems due to local people
only. Our girls and women have been assaulted, molested while coming and
going to work. Eve teasing is a common issue. Our looks create problems
and they try to get benefit. Some men also reported of physical
assault, snatching of wallet, phone etc.
How do you perceive the role of the police and local administration?
The police and local administration do
not create any problem, instead they support us, probably due to UNHCR
assistance to us. The police hasinfact sometimes arrested persons when
we called them after molestation or assault cases.
Is there any demand or expectation that you have with the Government of India?
We do not have any demand with the
Government of India. We do not have any expectation from the Government
of India because the Indian Government is building ties with the
oppressive military government of Burma. We think that India, being a
democracy that it claims to be, should coordinate and help in
establishing democracy in Burma, rather than supporting the military
government. We see that India is investing huge capital through various
projects of development there and is mum over establishing democracy.
What are your entertainment resources? What are the main festivals?
We enjoy songs and movies as anybody
else, but mostly of English language. Our main festivals are limited to
Christmas and New Year. We also celebrate Chin National Day on 20th
February every year.
How was this CRC formed? Is it registered anywhere?
CRC is formed to facilitate people of
our community who have come as refugees here. We have nine tribal groups
in the Chin community and one representative from each tribal group
came to form CRC. These representatives of tribal groups as well as the
President and other posts of CRC are being elected democratically by our
community people through vote. For this voting system, we have a
separate election commission as well. CRC is not registered with the
government or agencies, as according to law it cannot. But due to the
democratic body and people's support, CRC is recognized by other
agencies such as UNHCR. Any other agencies or groups contact CRC only
for any kind of work/meeting etc with the people of our community. The
period of President, Vice President in CRC is of two years only. Also,
to work or visit the people, agencies or organizations need to get
permission from CRC that in turn takes permission from the
representative of that tribal community in CRC.
Who are the other tribal groups within the Chin community? Which group do you belong to?
The Chin community has nine tribal
groups. They all have their own stories and history. These groups are
Hakha community, Falam community, Zomi community, Cho community, Matu
community, Mara community, Khuami community and others.
I belong to theHakha tribal group.
What do you expect from Aung San Suu Ki?
Aung San Suu Ki is demanding democracy
and so are we, so we are hopeful that if she comes to power as the Prime
Minister, she will help us. But as of now, we cannot expect much from
her, sinceshe herself is fighting and it is very difficult for her to
become the prime minister as it may need some constitutional amendments
as well.
Will you go back to your country in case the situation improves?
I can't say if our people will want to
go back or not. Probably we will. We have suffered so much that we never
think about it. We only pray for improvement in our situation.
What is your plan for the future? Will you stay here in India?
As we are not getting refugee status by
the Government of India, we are just living here somehow. We are
continuously trying to get refuge in other countries which will give us
refugee status. After all, we all want to live a life of dignity.
Had any other organization/agencies visited you?
Apart from UNHCR, no other organization visited us.
What help are you seeking for?
We feel that living here, away from our
native land is difficult and painful for all of us. It is insecure as
well. Insecurity in terms of physical, educational, sociological and
even financial insecurity. In fact, we believe that all among us who are
of good health must earn their bread and butter and they
ensuretheir livelihood by their own work.However this is a problem for
the most vulnerable like old people or ill people who are unable to work
and earn. We see that they need some sort of help.
Ravi Nitesh is a Petroleum Engineer, Founder- Mission Bhartiyam, Core Member- Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
- See more at: http://www.unpo.org/article/17034#sthash.tzULZ6ii.dpuf
An
interview with President of the Chin Refugee Committee (CRC) reveals
difficulties facing 8000 Chin refugees in Delhi, pending official
refugee status by India. In 1988 the Burmese army launched a massive
suppression campaign against Myanmar’s Chin communities, which forced
many to leave their homeland.
Below is an interview with the President of the Chin Refugee Community of Burma in India by Ravi Nitesh published by CounterCurrents.org
Very few of us know much about the
political situations in our neighboring countries and there effect onthe
people there. Also, when it comes to the word ‘refugee' in India, we
generally only think about Bangladeshis and Pakistani Hindus. When it
comes to Burma (Myanmar), some of us may know about the Rohingyas
refugees. But there are other communities as well who have been forced
to find refuge elsewhere. This is about another community from Burma
called the Chin community that is struggling to live a life of dignity
in India.
Here is an account of my meeting with
some of them residing in Delhi. I conversed with Mr. David who is
working as a democratic representative of approximately 8000 refugees of
the Chin community living here. He is the President of the Chin Refugee
Committee (CRC), an organisation that addresses the problems faced by
the Chin refugees.
What were the reasons that forced you to leave Burma and seek asylum in India?
We were living in Chin State and belong
to Chin community. We practice Christianity as a religion but on ethnic
identity, we belong to the minority group of Burma. In 1988, the
Burmese army launched a massive suppression campaign against us. The
Burmese army committed atrocities against us. We faced tortures,
killings, rapes and other forms of violence. The Burmese army also tried
to recruit people from our own community to suppress us. The level of
violence and suffering was unbearable. Many people wanted to leave the
region but few succeeded to flee from there. I myself came here in the
year 2007. We did not have the right to profess our religion, we did not
have basic rights that were granted to other communities.
What is your present status in India? I mean your refugee status.
Though we are living here, India has not
granted refugee status to us. Somehow, through our struggle
forsurvival, we have been recognized as refugees by UNHCR (United
Nations High Commission for Refugees) and through this, we have received
some sort of security.
How many people are living here as refugees? Dothey all belong to the Chin Community?
Approximately 8000 people are refugees,
ofwhich you can say that roughly95% are from the Chin Community and 5%
from the Kachin Community. Some Monks are also here who are fighting for
democracy.
What are main sources of livelihood of you people here?
Basically, we are working here in the
informal/unorganized sectors such as the factories, restaurants, hotels,
shops etc. We do not have any access to formal or organized jobs.
Approximately 70% of us are illiterate.
What are the conditions of education and health available to you?
Due to UNHCR assistance, we are able to
access education and health facilities in Indian schools and hospitals
where we are authorized to go. But despite the access, our children
could not continue their schooling in Delhi schools because of the
discrimination that they faced in schools. The discrimination which was
based on our looks would also get converted into fights.
How are you continuing their education then?
The Chin community is a community of
approximately nine tribal groups. Every tribal group has developed one
of its housesintoa church wherein we run a community school to provide
basic education for that tribal community’s children. We presently teach
them basic English, basic maths and chin language.
What is the nature of support that UNHCR is extending to you?
UNHCR visits us from time to time and in
case of any difficulty, comes to help us. It also runs baby day care
centers and a basic computer course through its implementing partners.
What are the main problems here?
We face problems due to local people
only. Our girls and women have been assaulted, molested while coming and
going to work. Eve teasing is a common issue. Our looks create problems
and they try to get benefit. Some men also reported of physical
assault, snatching of wallet, phone etc.
How do you perceive the role of the police and local administration?
The police and local administration do
not create any problem, instead they support us, probably due to UNHCR
assistance to us. The police hasinfact sometimes arrested persons when
we called them after molestation or assault cases.
Is there any demand or expectation that you have with the Government of India?
We do not have any demand with the
Government of India. We do not have any expectation from the Government
of India because the Indian Government is building ties with the
oppressive military government of Burma. We think that India, being a
democracy that it claims to be, should coordinate and help in
establishing democracy in Burma, rather than supporting the military
government. We see that India is investing huge capital through various
projects of development there and is mum over establishing democracy.
What are your entertainment resources? What are the main festivals?
We enjoy songs and movies as anybody
else, but mostly of English language. Our main festivals are limited to
Christmas and New Year. We also celebrate Chin National Day on 20th
February every year.
How was this CRC formed? Is it registered anywhere?
CRC is formed to facilitate people of
our community who have come as refugees here. We have nine tribal groups
in the Chin community and one representative from each tribal group
came to form CRC. These representatives of tribal groups as well as the
President and other posts of CRC are being elected democratically by our
community people through vote. For this voting system, we have a
separate election commission as well. CRC is not registered with the
government or agencies, as according to law it cannot. But due to the
democratic body and people's support, CRC is recognized by other
agencies such as UNHCR. Any other agencies or groups contact CRC only
for any kind of work/meeting etc with the people of our community. The
period of President, Vice President in CRC is of two years only. Also,
to work or visit the people, agencies or organizations need to get
permission from CRC that in turn takes permission from the
representative of that tribal community in CRC.
Who are the other tribal groups within the Chin community? Which group do you belong to?
The Chin community has nine tribal
groups. They all have their own stories and history. These groups are
Hakha community, Falam community, Zomi community, Cho community, Matu
community, Mara community, Khuami community and others.
I belong to theHakha tribal group.
What do you expect from Aung San Suu Ki?
Aung San Suu Ki is demanding democracy
and so are we, so we are hopeful that if she comes to power as the Prime
Minister, she will help us. But as of now, we cannot expect much from
her, sinceshe herself is fighting and it is very difficult for her to
become the prime minister as it may need some constitutional amendments
as well.
Will you go back to your country in case the situation improves?
I can't say if our people will want to
go back or not. Probably we will. We have suffered so much that we never
think about it. We only pray for improvement in our situation.
What is your plan for the future? Will you stay here in India?
As we are not getting refugee status by
the Government of India, we are just living here somehow. We are
continuously trying to get refuge in other countries which will give us
refugee status. After all, we all want to live a life of dignity.
Had any other organization/agencies visited you?
Apart from UNHCR, no other organization visited us.
What help are you seeking for?
We feel that living here, away from our
native land is difficult and painful for all of us. It is insecure as
well. Insecurity in terms of physical, educational, sociological and
even financial insecurity. In fact, we believe that all among us who are
of good health must earn their bread and butter and they
ensuretheir livelihood by their own work.However this is a problem for
the most vulnerable like old people or ill people who are unable to work
and earn. We see that they need some sort of help.
Ravi Nitesh is a Petroleum Engineer, Founder- Mission Bhartiyam, Core Member- Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
- See more at: http://www.unpo.org/article/17034#sthash.tzULZ6ii.dpuf