| Check out the documentary by peace4Burma. warning: contains images and descriptions of ethnic cleansing which may be upsetting |
| AP - Mon Jul 23, 8:51 AM ET In this photo released by the United States Campaign for Burma, Star Trek's Walter Koenig, left, who played Pavel Chekov in the popular TV series from the 1960s and movies the past 28 years, talks with a Karen woman refugee as he visits a refugees camp Saturday, July. 21, 2007, near the Thai-Myanmar border. Koenig visited a medical clinic and refugees during a three-day visit to Mae Sot, 380 kilometers (240 miles) northeast of Bangkok. He said he wanted to bring attention to their plight. (AP Photo/US Campaign for Burma) |
| AP - Mon Jul 23, 8:49 AM ET In this photo released by the United States Campaign for Burma, Star Trek's Walter Koenig, right, who played Pavel Chekov in the popular TV series from the 1960s and movies the past 28 years, visits refugees Saturday, July. 21, 2007, near the Thai-Myanmar border. Koenig visited a medical clinic and refugees during a three-day visit to Mae Sot, 380 kilometers (240 miles) northeast of Bangkok. He said he wanted to bring attention to their plight. (AP Photo/United States Campaign for Burma, HO)(Photo courtesy: AP Photo/United States Campaign for Burma |
| Other Articles about Walter's Trip to Burma “Star Trek star looks to beam up support for Myanmar refugees in Thailand” by Julie Payne, Associated Press Writer © AP “Star Trek star ‘shocked’ by plight of Myanmar refugess in Thailand" by Julie Payne, Associated Press Writer © AP “Don’t Klingon to power, Star Trek star tells Burma junta" Darren Schuettler, Bangkok, Thailand “Trek Actor calls on fans to campaign against atrocities" “Star Trek ‘s ‘Chekov’ beams in on Karens’ plight” “Star Trek actor visits Burma refugees” “Hollywood Actor Visits Karen Refugee Clinic in Mae Sot” by Aye Lae Walter Koenig Visits Christian Freedom International's Freedom House and Vocational School Breaking Christian News Star Trek fans enlisted in fight against Burma rights abuses DARREN SCHUETTLER IN BANGKOK “Starship Enterprise V Burmese military junta” ‘SS Enterprise against the Burmese military junta” from Andrew Drummond, of the Times www.andrew-drummond.com |
| Breaking news: Please visit USCampaign For Burma for complete updates on all the latest news! |
Andrew arrested for protesting Chinese
Olympic float in the Rose Parade....
Olympic float in the Rose Parade....
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| "We are a grassroots group of American and Burmese people working to promote human rights, freedom and democracy in the Southeast Asian country of Burma. Each and every human on this planet can do something to support Burma's struggle. Please contact us today to get started right away." |
Walter Koenig is working to bring world attention
to the Burmese political crisis--and to the
thousands of refugees suffering because of it.
Burma, renamed Myanmar by the military regime, is a known source of
human trafficking and is the second largest producer of illicit opium. They
have no Bill of Rights and their constitution was suspended in 1988. Their
violent policies include severe beatings and torture of detainees and the
Karen people. They have destroyed more than 3,300 ethnic minority villages
in their scorched earth ethnic cleansing campaign - which resulted in creating
more than 1 million refugees. They have forcibly conscripted up to 70,000
child soldiers and have nearly doubled the number of political prisoners in the
last 18 months.... to more than 2,100.Burma has been placed on the
permanent UN Security Council's "Threat to Peace" list and have called for an
end to the attacks on civilians and the military regime.
At the invitation of the humanitarian group U.S. Campaign for Burma, Walter
toured refugee camps along the Burma-Thailand border in July 2007. He will
be helping in their grassroots campaign to get the message out about the
human rights violations, and the long running struggle and suffering of the
Burmese people: including the permanent residents of the refugee camps in
Thailand.
to the Burmese political crisis--and to the
thousands of refugees suffering because of it.
Burma, renamed Myanmar by the military regime, is a known source of
human trafficking and is the second largest producer of illicit opium. They
have no Bill of Rights and their constitution was suspended in 1988. Their
violent policies include severe beatings and torture of detainees and the
Karen people. They have destroyed more than 3,300 ethnic minority villages
in their scorched earth ethnic cleansing campaign - which resulted in creating
more than 1 million refugees. They have forcibly conscripted up to 70,000
child soldiers and have nearly doubled the number of political prisoners in the
last 18 months.... to more than 2,100.Burma has been placed on the
permanent UN Security Council's "Threat to Peace" list and have called for an
end to the attacks on civilians and the military regime.
At the invitation of the humanitarian group U.S. Campaign for Burma, Walter
toured refugee camps along the Burma-Thailand border in July 2007. He will
be helping in their grassroots campaign to get the message out about the
human rights violations, and the long running struggle and suffering of the
Burmese people: including the permanent residents of the refugee camps in
Thailand.
| Aung San Suu Kyi Photograph by Leslie Keen / Burma Project USA |
One of the original cast members of the Star Trek TV series says he was "shocked" at the plight of hundreds of thousands of
refugees from military-ruled Myanmar living in camps in western Thailand.
Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov, the cheeky Russian ensign aboard the Starship Enterprise, visited Thailand's western
border region over the weekend to meet refugees who fled Myanmar's oppressive military regime, he said Monday.
Koenig visited a medical clinic that treats refugees in an effort to garner world attention for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in
Myanmar, also known as Burma, he said.
"I was shocked at how little I knew," Koenig, 70, said, referring to the hundreds of thousands of refugees living along the border in
Thailand. "The time was right in my life to be a part of something that is worthwhile. It's one thing to espouse a liberal and political
attitude _ and quite another to act on it."
The United States Campaign for Burma, an activist group based in Washington, D.C., organized the trip to northwest Thailand
where he met civilians suffering from battle injuries and disease.
Star Trek fans share a value system that will help connect them to the refugees and shine a spotlight on their plight, Koenig said.
"In the original series, we were an international, interethnic, interracial community," Koenig said. "People have responded to that
for 40 years and I think there's a sense of benevolence and humanity in the fans. Their nerdiness not withstanding makes them
good company to get the word out."
He is recruiting celebrity friends to join the effort, potentially including his fellow Star Trek cast member, George Takei _ known as
Mr. Sulu in the series.
Some 3,000 ethnic Karen villages in Myanmar's eastern region have been destroyed by the country's military, said Jeremy
Woodrum, USCB's campaigns director.
"People don't know twice as many villages have been destroyed in Eastern Burma than in Darfur," Woodrum said. "It's totally lost
on the United States and the world."
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962, the latest junta emerging after a brutal 1988 crackdown on pro-democracy
protests. The military has been widely accused of atrocities against ethnic minorities and of suppressing the democracy movement
led by detained Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
Koenig's son, Andrew, 38, filmed his week-long trip. Footage, as well as Koenig's personal written accounts during his trip, will be
available on his Web site.
refugees from military-ruled Myanmar living in camps in western Thailand.
Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov, the cheeky Russian ensign aboard the Starship Enterprise, visited Thailand's western
border region over the weekend to meet refugees who fled Myanmar's oppressive military regime, he said Monday.
Koenig visited a medical clinic that treats refugees in an effort to garner world attention for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in
Myanmar, also known as Burma, he said.
"I was shocked at how little I knew," Koenig, 70, said, referring to the hundreds of thousands of refugees living along the border in
Thailand. "The time was right in my life to be a part of something that is worthwhile. It's one thing to espouse a liberal and political
attitude _ and quite another to act on it."
The United States Campaign for Burma, an activist group based in Washington, D.C., organized the trip to northwest Thailand
where he met civilians suffering from battle injuries and disease.
Star Trek fans share a value system that will help connect them to the refugees and shine a spotlight on their plight, Koenig said.
"In the original series, we were an international, interethnic, interracial community," Koenig said. "People have responded to that
for 40 years and I think there's a sense of benevolence and humanity in the fans. Their nerdiness not withstanding makes them
good company to get the word out."
He is recruiting celebrity friends to join the effort, potentially including his fellow Star Trek cast member, George Takei _ known as
Mr. Sulu in the series.
Some 3,000 ethnic Karen villages in Myanmar's eastern region have been destroyed by the country's military, said Jeremy
Woodrum, USCB's campaigns director.
"People don't know twice as many villages have been destroyed in Eastern Burma than in Darfur," Woodrum said. "It's totally lost
on the United States and the world."
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962, the latest junta emerging after a brutal 1988 crackdown on pro-democracy
protests. The military has been widely accused of atrocities against ethnic minorities and of suppressing the democracy movement
led by detained Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
Koenig's son, Andrew, 38, filmed his week-long trip. Footage, as well as Koenig's personal written accounts during his trip, will be
available on his Web site.
Latest News
Government militia arrest villagers over land rights (Karen News)
Chin: Villagers Faced with Famine (UNPO)
Suu Kyi’s choice (Aljazeera)
EU begins easing sanctions on Burma (Telegraph)
EU suspends visa bans on leading Burmese politicians (BBC)
Update on Burma army attack on civilians in New Seng Ra village in Hpakant
jade area (Kachin News Group)
Suu Kyi to have access to media: presidential adviser (Mizzima)
Burma’s Censors Tighten Grip Ahead of By-election (Irrawaddy)
Tortured activist dies days after jail release (DVB)
Mon Chairman Says ‘No’ to Ceasefire (Irrawaddy)
Latest News on Armed Conflict
Burma army kills two unarmed Kachin women(Kachin News)
Army readies for large-scale Kachin assault(DVB)
Burma Army helicopter shot down by Kachin resistance(Kachin News)
Burma Army injuries 3 civilians in Kachin State’s Hugawng Valley(Kachin news)
SSA-South Invited to Peace Talks in Naypyidaw(The Irrawaddy)
Press Releases
Release of Political Prisoners in Burma Welcomed, Remaining Ones Should Be
Released
More than 50,000 people call on Secretary Clinton to demand an end to
atrocities, freedom for all political prisoners in Burma
Secretary Clinton Urged to Prioritize Securing An End to Burmese Army’s Crimes
against Humanity by 12 Human Rights Organizations and One Individual in the
United States
Clinton should prioritize Burmese Army’s increase in mass atrocities, violence
against women during trip to Burma
Americans Demand President Obama Show Global Leadership in Ending Crimes
against Humanity in Burma
Government militia arrest villagers over land rights (Karen News)
Chin: Villagers Faced with Famine (UNPO)
Suu Kyi’s choice (Aljazeera)
EU begins easing sanctions on Burma (Telegraph)
EU suspends visa bans on leading Burmese politicians (BBC)
Update on Burma army attack on civilians in New Seng Ra village in Hpakant
jade area (Kachin News Group)
Suu Kyi to have access to media: presidential adviser (Mizzima)
Burma’s Censors Tighten Grip Ahead of By-election (Irrawaddy)
Tortured activist dies days after jail release (DVB)
Mon Chairman Says ‘No’ to Ceasefire (Irrawaddy)
Latest News on Armed Conflict
Burma army kills two unarmed Kachin women(Kachin News)
Army readies for large-scale Kachin assault(DVB)
Burma Army helicopter shot down by Kachin resistance(Kachin News)
Burma Army injuries 3 civilians in Kachin State’s Hugawng Valley(Kachin news)
SSA-South Invited to Peace Talks in Naypyidaw(The Irrawaddy)
Press Releases
Release of Political Prisoners in Burma Welcomed, Remaining Ones Should Be
Released
More than 50,000 people call on Secretary Clinton to demand an end to
atrocities, freedom for all political prisoners in Burma
Secretary Clinton Urged to Prioritize Securing An End to Burmese Army’s Crimes
against Humanity by 12 Human Rights Organizations and One Individual in the
United States
Clinton should prioritize Burmese Army’s increase in mass atrocities, violence
against women during trip to Burma
Americans Demand President Obama Show Global Leadership in Ending Crimes
against Humanity in Burma
| Star Trek star 'shocked' by plight of Myanmar refugees in Thailand By JULIE PAYNE, Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, July 23, 2009 BANGKOK, Thailand |
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