Burma Red Cross in a dilemma
After nearly two decades in Burma, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has decided to shut down some of its operation due to lack of cooperation from the government.
"The ICRC's humanitarian work in Burma has now reached near-paralysis," said Pierra Krahenbuhl, director of operations, in Geneva. He pointed out that ICRC staff were still unable to resume visits to detainees anywhere in the country or to conduct independent field operations in sensitive border areas. "A recent meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs made no headway," he added. Despite sustained ICRC effort to overcome differences that have surfaced over many months, the Burmese authorities continued to restrict the organisation's work programmes, which jeopardise its ability to fulfill its humanitarian roles. As a result the ICRC decided to close two of its offices, one in Mawlamyine (Mon State) and the other in Kyaing Tong (East Shan State). It is carefully considering whether to keep open its remaining field offices. "Living and security conditions for civilians in sensitive border areas remain a real concern for the ICRC," added Krahenbuhl. "There are also strong indications of a deterioration in conditions of detention and treatment at several places of detention," he said. Over the past two years, the ICRC said in a statment, it has regularly raised issues of urgent humanitarian concern with the Burmese junta both orally and in writing, insisting on measures to improve the situation and being able to effectively and freely carry out its activities. However, with no tangible response from the authorities and with the restrictions that have been imposed on the ICRC, the organisation's core humanitarian activities are now at stake. "The ICRC deplores the failure of its efforts to rekindle a meaningful humanitarian dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The ICRC remains open to high-level discussions with the [Burmese] authorities to break the persisting deadlock and stands ready to act immediately to address the most pressing humanitarian issues provided that it may operate independently and with regular and direct access to persons in need," the statement said. The ICRC opened an office in Rangoon and started a limb-fitting and rehabilitation project in 1986. Since 1999 it has carried out assistance and protection work in places of detention and in sensitive border areas. Over the past year, the ICRC has reduced the number of its expatriate staff from 56 to 16 because of the restrictions imposed by the Burmese junta.
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