THAILAND: Max Ediger released on bail but 6 Burmese minorities remain in detention.
11 February 2000 Mr. Norman Max Ediger, an American missionary and peace and human rights activist, was bailed out. At the time of the arrest, he was conducting training on promoting non-violence to several ethnic minorities from Burma.
Thai police arrested 8 persons at the Burma Issue Office. Max Ediger and another person was released. Max is still waiting for news on whether he will be facing charges. The six remaining are Burmese minorities were arrested as illegal migrant without visa and they are now awaiting to be sent back to places of their choice. Though they were expected to be sent out by the beginning of this week, still they remain in the immigration jail.
There had been many interventions on behalf of Max Ediger by many Thai citizens and organisations and it is expected that they may not bring charges against him. However, as the matter has been pending for some time, it is advisable to
write to the Thai authorities letters of concern on behalf of Max and others.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: We urge you to write very polite letters on his behalf. A sample letter written by several Thai NGOs is given below. You may write your appeal with a similar content.
SEND APPEAL LETTERS to:
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
Government House
Bhitsanulok Road,
Bangkok 10300,
Thailand
Fax: 662 – 281 4358
662 – 280 1443
Email: Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai <govspkmn@mozart.inet.co.th>
General Sanan Kachornprasat
Minister of Interior,
Office of the Secretary to the Minister
Assadung Road,
Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Fax: 662-226 4371 or 662-282 4780
and Diplomatic representatives of the Thailand accredited to
your country.
————————— Sample Letter ————————-
H.E. Sanan Kajornprasart
Ministry of Interior
Fax No. 662-282 4780
Your Excellency,
The undersigned non-governmental organizations, peoples’ organization and individuals request that the charges against Mr. Norman Max Ediger be dropped.
Mr. Ediger, an American missionary and peace and human rights activist, was arrested on the 11 February 2000 and is now being charged with providing shelter to illegal aliens. At the time of the arrest, he was conducting a training on promoting non-violence to several ethnic minorities from Burma at the Burma Issues office, Soi Pipat, Convent Road, Bangkok.
After the arrest, the media reported that some government officials accused Mr. Ediger of involvement with the Gods Army and that he supported its violent struggle. He was also accused of being a threat to Thailand’s national security and hence, should be deported. There is no truth to these accusations and we fear that truth is being manipulated by some officials and politicians.
Mr. Ediger is an individual who as peacefully dedicated himself for the benefit of society. For the 22 years he has lived legally in Thailand, he has workedwith various non-governmental organizations and development groups for the
marginalized people in slum communities, drug addicts, sex workers, ethnic minorities, and refugees. In his work with these sectors, he promoted the ideals of peace, human rights and non-violence. Burma Issues, the organization with which he is currently involved is the result of cooperative work among
Thai and foreign nationals to publicize information about issues of human rights and democracy in Burma. It focuses on promoting noon-violence by organizing trainings on human rights and peaceful conflict resolution for Burmese exiles. Also, one of the objectives of the Burma Issues is to promote
good understanding between Thai and Burmese people in order to reduce violence in the region.
We appeal to the Ministry of Interior to use its authority to drop the charges against Mr. Ediger and to ensure that he will not be deported.
Respectfully yours.
