Peaceful way for problem between Refugees and Aw Saw: Thai Gov

Dec 19

The provincial government of Mae Hong Son seeking for a peaceful way to solve the current problem between Karenni refugees and Aw Saw, according to a meeting between Thai authority and refugees representatives.

After a Karenni refugee student was killed by Aw Saw on 15 of December, Provincial governor Mr. Tongchai Wongliantong told in the meeting which hold on 16 of December that both civil and criminal cases will be handled according to Thai legal process to be able to justice both parties.

He also urged Karenni Refugees Committee and camp committee to provide convenience for medical and forensic team from Mae Hong Son to be able to investigate the killing of Aie Oo and the destroying of government properties.

According to the refugees the recent violence is not only because Aie Oo was killed but it is related to the verities of Aw Saw inappropriate behaviors to refugees such as abuse of power and torture in the past.

The refugees are not on the process of developing any abuse cases that has done by Aw Saw to refugees in the past time and will soon send to the Thai government.

The governor introduce a draft that incorporate with Karenni culture which is doesn’t also effect the Thai law to avoid further conflict between refugees and authority in the future.

The refugees representatives, UNHCR representatives and also Thai authority representatives generally agree to form the draft which is going to finished by the end of December 2007.