Thu, 15 May 1997
Refugees from the SLORC Occupation of Dooplaya District

This document gives descriptions for Photo Set 97-A, including refugees from the current Dooplaya and Tenasserim offensives.

Peoples’ names given here correspond to those used in the reports; names which have been changed to protect people are enclosed in quotes. Some details have been omitted from the photo descriptions to protect the people involved. These photos may be used in any way to help the people of Burma.

Some abbreviations used in the photo descriptions: 

SLORC = State Law & Order Restoration Council, Burma’s military junta 
DKBA = Democratic Kayin (Karen) Buddhist Army, Karen group allied to SLORC
KNU = Karen National Union, main Karen opposition organization
KNLA = Karen National Liberation Army, army of the KNU
KNPP = Karenni National Progressive Party, Karenni organization which is still fighting SLORC.

In February 1997 SLORC launched a mass offensive against Karen-held regions in Dooplaya District, otherwise known as KNLA 6th Brigade area. They managed to capture almost all Karen-held territory in the area with amazing speed, within only 1-2 weeks. At least 10,000 new Karen refugees streamed across the Thai border before SLORC troops occupied their villages, but many more were trapped inside by the lightning speed of the offensive and many families were split. Now that the fighting has stopped, more refugees continue to arrive fleeing forced labour and other abuses which are beginning throughout the newly-occupied region. All photos relate to the report "Refugees from SLORC Occupation" (‘Offensives’).

Thu, 15 May 1997

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