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Statement on USCIRF Hearing on Burma

February 9, 2023

Washington, DC — On February 8, 2023, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on religious freedom in Burma two years after the military coup. The panel was led by USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel, with Vice Chair Abraham Cooper and Commissioners David Curry, Frederick Davie, Mohamed Magid, Stephen Schneck, and Frank Wolf in attendance.

CAM Executive Director Zo Tum Hmung provided an oral briefing and written testimony as part of the panel. Other panelists included Priscilla Clapp of the US Institute of Peace, Kyaw Zeyar Win of the International Republican Institute, and Wai Wai Nu, Executive Director of the Women’s Peace Network in Burma. Video highlights from the hearing can be found at VOA Burmese and RFA Burmese .

Mr. Hmung highlighted the following key recommendations in his oral testimony:

To the Biden Administration:

1. Designate atrocities against Christian minorities, especially the Chins, as war crimes and crimes against humanity, consistent with the designation of crimes targeting the Rohingya
2. Work with the National Unity Government, ethnic armed organizations and others to allocate non-lethal assistance for the protection of civilians from Tatmadaw air attacks.

To the U.S. Congress:

1. Conduct a Congressional Fact-Finding mission to the Indo-Burma border area and Thai-Burma border area related to the protection and humanitarian needs of IDPs and refugees from Burma and related to the atrocities, including gender-based atrocities, against religious minorities, including Christians.
2. Include language condemning the violations of religious freedom by the Tatmadaw in future US legislation and UN resolutions on Burma, especially at the UN Security Council.

Burmese Fighter Jets Attacking Camp Victoria in Chin State, Burma,
Also Drop a Bomb on Mizoram State, India

January 10, 2023

Washington, DC — On January 10, 2023 around 5:15 p.m. local Burma time, Burmese military fighter jets dropped at least four explosive devices on Camp Victoria, the Headquarters of the Chin National Front/Chin National Army in Chin State, Burma, near the border with Mizoram State, India, a source familiar with the situation confirmed with the Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM). A video of the attack has been posted on YouTube. CAM learned that five members of the Chin National Army (CNA) were killed in the attack.

A credible source also informed CAM that at least one bomb landed on Indian soil and damaged the truck of a villager from Farkawn Village in Mizoram State, India, which borders Chin State, Burma. CAM confirmed that the bomb landed about 50 meters away from the truck and destroyed its front mirror, but that the owner of the truck was able to escape and hide from the attackers. CAM received a photo of the truck but has not released it to protect the owner of the truck.

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following statement:

1. CAM strongly condemns the airstrikes against Camp Victoria and sends condolences to the families and loved ones of the five CNA casualties.
2. CAM firmly believes that the attacks by the military junta against Camp Victoria will deeply strengthen the hearts and minds of the CNA, Chinland Defense Forces, and the Chin people inside Burma and around the world for the struggle to end the military rule in Burma.
3. CAM also believes that India, the largest democracy in the world, should stand with the people of Burma, as they struggle to establish democracy, and that India.should condemn the Burmese military fighters dropping a bomb on Indian soil and damaging its citizen’s truck.

Statement on Funding for Burma in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023

December 29, 2022

Washington, DC — This evening, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (H.R. 2617). The $1.7 trillion funding for H.R. 2617 includes $59.7 billion appropriated under State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. Of the $59.7 billion, section 7403, pages 594-595, of the Act says “the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $136,127,000 shall be made available for assistance for Burma”. The fiscal year 2023 funding for Burma is similar of the fiscal year 2022 (H.R. 2471).

The Senate passed the FY23 Omnibus Package on December 22, 2022. The following day on December 23, 2022, the House passed their Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. The bill was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022.

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc (CAM), issues the following statement.

1. CAM strongly welcomes assistance of “not less than $136,127,000” for Burma in the fiscal year 2023. It could be interpreted that the minimum funding is $136,127,000 or it would be more. CAM has been advocating for an appropriation for Burma of not less than $136,127,000 for fiscal year 2023 and to include language in the provisions referencing federalism, democracy, and accountability. (see CAM’s recommendations).
2. The funding is encouraging. It supports “the administrative operations and programs of entities–to establish an inclusive and representative democracy in Burma and a federal union.” (Sec. 7403, pages 1479 -1481). CAM believes that the entities refer to the National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Ethnic Armed Organizations, the Civil Disobedience Movement, and others described at the Burma Act of 2022 (NDAA-H.R. 7776).
3. H.R. 2617 is critical. It provides support for humanitarian assistance, investigation and documentation of human rights abuses by the Burmese military junta.
4. The Act restricts that the funding from the Act should not support the State Administration Council and it should not be used for international security assistance.

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Statement on the Enactment of the BURMA Act of 2022 (NDAAFY23)

December 23, 2022

Washington, DC — Today, December 23, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act (BURMA Act) of 2022 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7776). The Act will end on September 30, 2023. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) included the key provisions of the Burma Act of 2021 to the NDAA.

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following the statement.

1. CAM strongly welcomes the BURMA Act of 2022, which CAM has been supporting and advocating for the passage of, for the Act will strengthen the efforts to end the military rule in Burma and establish a federal democratic union.
2. CAM is grateful especially to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), House Foreign Affairs Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) who introduced the BURMA Act of 2021 on October 5, 2021. CAM has been supportive of it and urging Congress to pass the Act (see CAM’s statement).
3. The support would strengthen the efforts to end the military junta. The key provision of the Act mentions to support “the efforts of the National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Burmese Civil Disobedience Movement, and other entities in Burma and in other countries to oppose the Burmese military and bring about an end to the military junta’s rule”.
4. The Act also mentions that the U.S. will provide technical assistance and non-lethal aid to the ethnic armed organizations and other armed organizations. The non-lethal aid could include communications equipment, medical supplies, intelligence assistance, body armor, and infrastructure.
5. The Act includes the policy of the United States in supporting the activities and programs on federalism, democracy, minority rights, religious freedom, human rights, justice, accountability, and transitional justice and securing the unconditional release of all unlawfully detained individuals. These are critical in the struggle to end the military junta in Burma.
6. In addition to working with the UN bodies, the Act mentions “working with like-minded partners to impose a coordinated arms embargo on the Burmese military and targeted sanctions on the economic interests of the Burmese military”.

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Statement on the UN Security Council Resolution on Myanmar

December 23, 2022

Washington, DC — On December 21, 2022, the United Nations Security Council adopted binding resolution 2669 (2022) on the situation in Myanmar under the UN Charter VI. The 12 members voted yes; none voted against; and 3 abstained (China, India and Russia). The 5 permanent members are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the 10 non-permanent members are Albania (2023), Brazil (2023), Gabon (2023), Ghana (2023), India (2022), Ireland (2022), Kenya (2022), Mexico (2022), Norway (2022), and United Arab Emirates (2023).

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following statement:

1. CAM welcomes the UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022) and appreciates the leadership of the United Kingdom on drafting and adopting the Resolution.
2. The Resolution is encouraging as it urged the Burmese military “to immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi”. It also addressed the underlying issues in Burma, including calling “for the necessity for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.”
3. CAM strongly believes that the UN Security Council should rather adopt a resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter as the Tatmadaw overthrew a democratically elected government of President U Win Myint on February 1, 2021. The State Administration Council also continues posing undeniable threat to regional peace and security.
4. A Chapter VII resolution would hurt the Tatmadaw. Such a call would include an arms embargo; no-fly zones to protect civilians; refer to the International Criminal Court; and a military intervention under a UN Peacekeeping Force or a multinational force.

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Statement on the Detention of Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson in Burma

December 6, 2022

Washington DC, USA ——-  On December 5, 2022, (Myanmar Time) the Burmese military arrested and detained Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson at the Mandalay International Airport in Mandalay, Burma, while he was traveling to Bangkok, Thailand. As of today, his location is unknown – whether Dr. Samson has been detained in Mandalay or Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. Dr. Samson is an adviser to the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) headquartered in Myitkyina, Kachin State, and he is a former General Secretary and President of KBC.

The Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following statement.

1. CAM strongly condemns the unlawful detention of Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson by the State Administration Council.
2. CAM urges the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress to put more pressure on the Burmese military to release Dr. Samson immediately and unconditionally.
3. Our prayers and thoughts are with Dr. Samson, his family, and the Kachin people.

Statement on Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day

October 27, 2022

Washington DC, USA ——- On October 23, 2022, at 8:30pm in Myanmar, the Burmese military attacked Kachin civilians with airstrikes at A Nang Pa, Hpakant, Kachin State in Myanmar. At the time of the airstrikes, the victims were commemorating the 62^nd anniversary of the founding of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). The airstrikes killed 54 people and injured over 100.

Therefore, the Chin Association of Maryland, Inc. (CAM) issues the following statement.

1. CAM strongly condemns the inhuman attack by the Burmese military regime on civilians.
2. The airstrikes constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and the Burmese military regime should be held accountable.
3. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims.