Refugees hope for ceasefire in Myanmar
- 12 years ago
Refugees at this camp in northern Myanmar are hopeful about the future.
About 60,000 people in Kachin state have been forced from their homes due to fighting between Kachin rebels and government forces in recent months.
But with new elections on the horizon, refugees believe the country may finally be on the right track to achieving peace between to the two sides.
SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) 33-YEAR-OLD KACHIN MOTHER OF TWO, WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF AS S. HTON WUN, SAYING:
"I want us to establish a country with full human rights, and freedom."
However, a ceasefire may require changes to the constitution drawn up under army supervision.
These refugees will also need help rebuilding their destroyed communities.
(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) 45-YEAR-OLD UNHCR REFUGEE CAMP COMMITTEE MEMBER, THOO GYAR, SAYING:
"If they go back to their villages, the main problem is that their homes are destroyed, and they have nothing to eat. And they cannot cultivate their paddy fields."
The elections have drawn international attention since pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi is running.
The polls are a test to see if Myanmar will come through on promises of democracy, civilian governance and progressive economic reform.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
About 60,000 people in Kachin state have been forced from their homes due to fighting between Kachin rebels and government forces in recent months.
But with new elections on the horizon, refugees believe the country may finally be on the right track to achieving peace between to the two sides.
SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) 33-YEAR-OLD KACHIN MOTHER OF TWO, WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF AS S. HTON WUN, SAYING:
"I want us to establish a country with full human rights, and freedom."
However, a ceasefire may require changes to the constitution drawn up under army supervision.
These refugees will also need help rebuilding their destroyed communities.
(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) 45-YEAR-OLD UNHCR REFUGEE CAMP COMMITTEE MEMBER, THOO GYAR, SAYING:
"If they go back to their villages, the main problem is that their homes are destroyed, and they have nothing to eat. And they cannot cultivate their paddy fields."
The elections have drawn international attention since pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi is running.
The polls are a test to see if Myanmar will come through on promises of democracy, civilian governance and progressive economic reform.
Jessica Gray, Reuters