IC2007/J

                        Draft Statement of Solidarity with the Myanmar Refugees

We the representatives of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-Pax Romana) gathered from June 25^th to 6^th July 2007 Kula Lumpur, Malaysia on the theme “Empowering Student Action for Dialogue and Peace. Throughout the study session especially local exposure where we have deeply reflected on how we can transform the world into one of peace and dialogue. We have been in active solidarity with the Myanmar refugees in thoughts, prayers and action. In the study session, we were able to reflect on the reality of the refugees of Myanmar around the world through local exposure and student preventatives. Through the local exposure in Malaysia we have seen Myanmar refugees are suffering in terms of their equal and fundamental rights.    

Our hearts have been touched and moved by Myanmar refugee’s stories. We are saddened and appalled by the violation of their fundamental rights to equal access to education opportunities inside and outside their country.

The problem of Burma, Myanmar is the combination of nationalism and racism. The fifty off years of Burma’s experience, disruption, internal upheaval of within humankind degradation, cause by brutality of mass killing, force labor and dislocation gang rape and environmental destruction was possible as racists were placed at the top of the successive regimes of Burma-the hell was let loose.  The fact that many Burmese societies and ethnic cultures have survived these centuries of pains, abuse, rupture and international destruction is an amazing testimony to these cultural stamina and resilience.

We stand strongly against the increasing violence that is taking place in Myanmar and deeply concern for refugees around the world. We express our empathy and forge our solidarity with them.

To the Myanmar refugees

To those Myanmar refugees around the world who have had to flee their country to find peace and security, we also stand in solidarity with you. We know that you too face many difficulties and we commit ourselves to your struggle to gain your rightful places as equal citizens in your respective country. We also will encourage our political leaders to recognize you as refuges and responds to your needs.

Invitation around the world

• The Universal Church to recognize the refugees as true children’s of the mother church that are engaged in a legitimate struggle for collective freedom and liberty and thus provide integral formation to the refugees as a form of humanitarian assistance. 
• The Civil society movements to facilitate maximum participation and ensure support to the refugees all over the world in their perennial struggle for self-determination.
• The international government to stop legitimizing the military junta as a form of governance, ensure peaceful transition of power to civilian rule, and finally, to be sensitive to their existence, especially with regard to their rightful space and freedom as refugees.
• We call upon as students movement and student groups around the world for peace in the world especially Myanmar. Students need to be mobilized to pray in action and solidarity with the Myanmar refugees.

We the students leader and representatives of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-Pax Romana) pray for peace and justice to be in your country instead of political and ethnic violence.  We want to assure you that you are not alone and we are with you in solidarity and communion. We are aware that our prophetically creative presence and participation in the society demands us to build links with other organizations with same ideology. Hope once all the refuges as you await the much cherished moment to reunite with your hearty loved ones in your homeland.