KNU against male repatriation

KNU against male repatriation

MAE SOT, Thailand (Reuters): The leader of the Karen Nation Union (KNU) guerrilla organization said yesterday he opposed a Thai plan to repatriate male Karen refugees to Myanmar.

"I am totally against the plan to repatriate the male refugees back to their death. Once they return (to Myanmar) these refugees will be executed by Myanmar soldiers," Gen. Bo Mya told Reuters by telephone from the border area.

Bo Mya also denied Thai charges that there were KNU guerrillas hiding in refugee camps inside Thailand.

Gen. Chetta Thanajaro, commander in chief of the Thai army, said Karen men would be removed from the refugee camps along the border and repatriated, leaving only women, children and old people in the camps.