Crisis Behind The Veil: Forgotten Suffering In Kachin Land, Burma

We would like to invite you to the unique event about the humanitarian crisis and human rights abuses in Kachin land.

For many decades the Kachin people have been suffering from many forms of oppression by the brutal military dictator. In 1994, the Kachin made cease-fire agreement with the Burmese military regime with the hope of finding better solutions to solve conflicts in the region. However, there is no improvement in political progress, rather the rise of poverty and human rights violation continue.

Due to the existence of cease-fire agreement, the perception of International community upon current circumstances in Kachin state has been very different from the reality. Today, in Kachin State , because of the lack of media attention, problems listed below are untold to the rest of the world:

· Forced labour
· Rape
· Religious persecution
· Land confiscation
· Exploitation of natural resources
· Increasing number of HIV/AIDs infection and narcotic drugs distribution
· Trafficking of Kachin women and girls to China

Therefore, Kachin National Organization (UK) will be hosting the event to raise the awareness of the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Kachin land. We hope to find solutions and get support from international community to help protect the lives of Kachin people and help safe our homeland that used to be preserved in most of the region before cease-fire.

Photo exhibition will be displayed which projects the evidence of the regime’s cruelty such as forced labour, environmental deterioration, HIV/AIDs and Drugs related problems, sexual abuses and other human rights violations.

After the event, you will have a chance to experience the taste of Kachin traditional food with a small donation to support HIV/AIDs infected people including orphanage children. Complimentary tea, coffee and snacks will be provided before the event.

Speakers: Benedict Rogers (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)
Kai Htang (Kachin National Organization – UK )
Place : Lecture Theatre, New Hunts House
Guy’s campus,
King’s College, London
SE1 1UL
Date : 13th November, 2008
Time : 07:00pm – 09:00pm
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge