By Alex Williams
The Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO) claimed an
ending of special protection for displaced Chin communities was premature,
given they could "still suffer from systematic human rights abuses"
at home.
"These usually are related to local authorities
blocking the ownership of land for Christian worship.
A decision by the United Nations to wind down protection
for a predominantly Christian minority group from Myanmar has been criticised
by campaigners.
Program director Sang Hnin Lian (pictured below) from the
CHRO told Premier: "The UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees] will end the international protection for the Chin refugees, meaning
they are left unprotected in other countries without any proper
documentation."
A modern spate of human rights violations against the
Chin can be traced back to the overthrowing of a democratically-elected
government in Myanmar by General Ne Win in 1962.
It is estimated that 80,000 Chins have fled the south
east Asian country since then. Between 30,000 and 35,000 Chin people currently
qualify as refugees in Malaysia. A further 5,000 have settled in the Indian
capital, New Delhi.
In June this year, the UNHCR announced their
documentation would no longer be automatically renewed from January 2020,
meaning Chin families would be given little choice but to return home.
The organisation said it deemed the Myanmar government in
a suitable position to offer the Chin community sufficient protection.
But the CHRO warned the Chin community "continues to
be threatened" for bodies including the country's military.
The organisation's report warns: "Chin people living
in present-day Myanmar continue to face institutionalised barriers to religious
freedom.
"Due to this, Christians, particularly in areas
where they represent a minority such as in the states and regions bordering
Chin State, are forced to illegally undertake house worship.
"Christians have also faced threats, intimidation
and mob-violence by local communications, often supported and even organised by
local authorities and Buddhist monks."
The CHRO warns the Chin in Myanmar - many of whom live in
rural areas - face multiple challenges including poor access to education and
under-developed infrastructure.
Premier has contacted the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees for a response.