Thai authorities question MCC workers' involvement with Burmese

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 19 February 2000

AKRON, Pa. -- February 11 Thai police raided the offices of Burma Issues, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)-supported human rights organization in Bangkok, Thailand. Three MCC workers were detained. MCC workers Erich Miller of Goshen, Indiana, and Lakhsmi Subandi of Tengah, Indonesia, were questioned and released. Long-time MCC worker Max Ediger of Turpin, Oklahoma, was held for nearly a day, then released on bail. He may face charges of harboring illegal immigrants.

Burma Issues provides training and other assistance to refugees from Burma and seeks non-violent ways to end Burma's 50-year civil war. Burmese refugees usually cannot receive legal travel documents to be in Bangkok where the trainings are held. As a result, eight Burmese participating in a Burma Issues training when the office was raided were detained, fined and will likely be returned to the Thai-Burma border.

"Max knew his work was risky," says Betsy Headrick McCrae, MCC East Asia program director. "But he believes strongly that we need to stand with people who are suffering and need hope."

February 14 Thai National Security (Intelligence) officials interviewed Ediger about the work of Burma Issues. They revealed that a Burmese rebel killed by Thai police in late January had Burma Issues information in his pocket. The dead rebel was part of a group of Burmese that had crossed the border into Thailand and seized a hospital. Thai police stormed the hospital, killing 10 rebels. This followed a 1999 incident when Burmese rebels entered Thailand and seized an embassy. These two incidents created fear of Burmese terrorism among the Thai. According to Ediger, when Thai intelligence officials learned that Burma Issues does not support Burmese military groups, they expressed support for Burma Issues' goals of promoting peace.

"No matter what happens, Max feels some positive things might come from his arrest," says Headrick McCrae. In a February 14 email, Ediger wrote: "Many non-governmental organizations are using this opportunity to raise the issue of the power of non-violent action. It's a stressful time, but also one of the best opportunities I may ever have to share these concerns with a broader audience. I pray I'll be able to do it articulately and sensitively."

Ediger has had the opportunity to speak with Thai government officials at many levels about the situation in Burma and about Burma Issues' work. As well, Ediger has received numerous requests for media interviews.

Ediger is required to report to Thai Immigration on February 18, but it remains unclear when, or even whether, charges will be brought against him. A group of Thai lawyers are representing Ediger.

On a personal level, Ediger says he is doing well and has been treated politely by Thai officials. Ediger has been in Thailand since 1978. Over the years he has worked with prostitutes, slum dwellers, drug addicts and refugees. Prior to this, Ediger served with MCC in Vietnam and Burundi.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org