Kachin peace vigil at U.S. White House

Friday, 03 February 2012 13:33 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The U.S. Campaign for Burma will hold a 24-hour vigil in front of the White House in Washington from Friday to Saturday to show solidarity with over 60,000 Kachin refugees affected by the renewed fighting in eastern Burma.

Called the "Peace Vigil to End Violence Against Ethnic Minorities in Burma," the event will take place in Lafayette Park in sight of the White House.

The group calls for continued sanctions against the Burmese government, support of tripartite talks between the government, the National League for Democracy and the alliance of ethnic minorities, and an end to hostilities and assaults on the Kachin people.

Tens of thousands of Kachin in eastern Burma were forced to flee their homes when the Burmese military renewed civil war in June 2011. International aid groups have been prevented from access to aid the refugees, many of whom are in need of food, medicine and shelter.