It would be easier to subjugate the entire universe through force than the minds of a single village.
- Voltaire.

May, 2007

     Anniversaries are normally times of joy, but although it is now ten years since the formation of the Free Burma Rangers, none within its ranks is celebrating. They are far from sad, but are not exactly waving flags. Why?

     As world attention centres on Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Africa, the brutal oppression of ethnic minorities in Burma continues unchecked.

     Ethnic cleansing is underway a little more than a stone’s throw from where tourists eat, drink and shop in towns straddling the Thai-Burma border.

     Entire villages are on the move throughout the jungle-clad hills. What were homes to these people for a few short months will soon be put to the torch; landmines will be sown in place of rice and vegetables, barring forever a return to the village by its denizens who are now struggling over steep mountain paths in search of a safe haven.

     Karen rebels have been engaged in a more than fifty year old war against troops of the Burmese Army since their claims for an autonomous homeland were met by brutality. The Karen claim this was promised them by their former colonial masters, the British, for whom they worked before the country gained its independence But it is not only the Karen who are suffering at the hands of the Burma Army. It is estimated that almost three-quarters of a million people of ethnic minorities in the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Lahu and Arakan areas of the country are constantly on the move.

     These people lack security, food, education for their children, and urgent medical aid; which is where the Free Burma Rangers come into their own, with some 25 ethnic teams who risk their lives daily bringing aid to the country’s internally displaced people.

     Ethnic resistance fighters, such as the Karen National Liberation Army, do what they can to protect their people, but are both out numbered and outgunned by the Burma Army.

     The Rangers, however, bring a level and style of aid that armed resistance fighters cannot.

     Their mission is to provide hope, help and love to the internally displaced inside Burma, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Using a network of indigenous field teams, they report on human rights abuses, casualties, and the humanitarian needs of those fleeing the attention of the Burmese military machine; often at great personal risk and under the constant threat from government troops.The Rangers are supplied via Burma’s porous borders with her neighbours. The operation is dangerous, unhealthy, and physically and mentally draining. These people are neither gung-ho, nor foolish. They are Christians and Buddhists who are for their fellow countrymen, regardless of ethnicity or religion; people with a mission—certainly, but religious zealots they are not.

     One of the Rangers’ team leaders outlined to me, in almost flawless English, an incident that occurred just minutes before he and his men arrived in a Karen state village.

     “We approached one village and came upon a nine year old girl who had recently been shot by troops of the Burma Army. The bullet had entered just below her ribcage and exited from her lower back. The child was given emergency treatment by the team medic while her mother, clutching a baby in her arms, told of how her husband had been carrying his aged mother on his back when Burma Army soldiers opened fire on the family. Her husband and his mother were killed instantly, while her daughter, Naw Eh Ywa Paw—“The flower that loves God” —was wounded in the stomach.

     The most visible opponent of Burma’s military regime, pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, lives under almost permanent house arrest, but at least goes physically unharmed. Her fellow countrymen are not so fortunate. Of the hundreds of thousands who have fled the country, many are exploited as being a cheap source of labour in neighbouring Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Of the almost one million who today remain displaced within Burma, most live in constant fear of execution, rape and/or being forced into unpaid labour by the Burma Army. Thousands have been killed, tens of thousands more wounded; all have suffered, even the Rangers.

     Saw Mu, the young video cameraman of a team operating in the Mutheaw District, was killed by a landmine. Pictured below, Saw Mu, or Mr Happy, was a bright, humble and brave young Christian who doubled as counsellor on his relief team, and was very popular with the many children with whom he worked.

     Another Ranger died as a result of contracting malaria. Having dispensed his anti-malarial drugs among the villagers, this man had none left for himself, and died as a result.

     Free Burma Rangers receive no combat training. During their six to eight week induction course, only two days are set aside to instruct new members in how to evade the troops of the Burma Army.

     Each Ranger needs to have the ability to love his countrymen, to be literate, and be in possession of physical and moral courage. Free Burma Rangers are volunteers, and receive no pay.

     Each relief team comprises a leader, a cameraman/reporter, a medic, a counsellor who is focused on the needs of children, and normally operates under the armed protection of men of the KNLA. Each relief operation also involves the recruiting of up to 20 local porters to carry medical and other supplies to the villages where displaced people have settled, albeit too often for a temporary stay.



     The Rangers work hand-in-glove with other relief organisations operating within Burma’s borders, bringing help to those in need. Some NGOs concentrate on the provision of medical aid while others provide improved education to the many thousands of displaced children. The FBR teams bring emergency medical/dental aid, along with spiritual and educational help to all who suffer at the hands of Burma’s brutal regime. The FBR teams also document human rights violations and report them to the relevant authorities. Priority of assistance goes to the internally displaced people of Burma, as well as to those whose villages have recently been attacked by the Burma Army. The Rangers stand shoulder to shoulder with those who suffer, and assist peoples of all races and faiths. As one team leader put it—“We Karen members of the FBR happen to be Christians by birth or by choice; the FBR relief teams, however, are multi-ethnic and are made up of people from all manner of religious backgrounds.”

     The FBR teams have carried out well over 300 humanitarian missions of between 4 to 8 weeks in length into Burma’s war zones. An average of 15 hundred patients receive medical treatment during each mission, with up to 2,000 more being helped in various other ways.

     Since FBR was founded in 1997 they have treated more than 300,000 patients and brought aid to almost three quarters of a million people who are being oppressed by the military junta’s mailed fist.

     I am sitting with some of the FBR team leaders in a cool clearing beside a rippling brook; an atmosphere of supreme tranquillity that is at odds with the topic of conversation.

     “I have not seen my mum for several months,” says the one known as “Koala Bear”; sobriquets being de rigueur among the Rangers who guard their anonymity as fiercely as do recovering alcoholics.

     “She would have to be very ill in order for me to risk a visit to my home town,” he explains.

     “There are spies everywhere, and my family would suffer if they were to be identified as the relatives of a Free Burma Ranger.”

     This young man served with the Karen National Liberation Army before joining the Rangers in 2002.

     “With the KNLA I was like David against Goliath, using hit and run tactics against the superior numbers of the Burma Army. But with the Free Burma Rangers I have the chance to bring all kinds of help to my countrymen who are suffering at the hands of this regime.”

     The dark eyes flash for an instant but the remaining embers of hatred are quickly doused, and he moves on.

     “We were approaching a village, not far from the border with Thailand when we heard the familiar crump of a landmine. No scream. No human sound at all; just a deathly silence that could mean only that the Burma Army had claimed another victim.”

     The young leader spoke of landmines as being the single biggest threat to the safety of Rangers and villagers alike.

     “They (the Burma Army) sow their seeds of death after chasing people from their homes; knowing that the villagers will return for their possessions and be killed as a result.”

     The eyes flash again and he quickly changes tack—“As a Christian, I hate no one, but I do not like or trust the Burma Army,” his explanation is toned down by hard-earned discipline.

     “They leave cards at the scene of destruction,” he tells me. “The cards read—Come back to us—we want peace,” he smiles; the smile is dispassionate.

     “I feel only sorrow for them; for they know what they do is wrong.”

     Back in the clearing beside the stream, a world apart it seems from the front lines, we share a moment of light relief when I tell these young team leaders that I have postponed a dental appointment to be with them today.

     “No problem,” says the one known as Silver Horn. “Our medic can fix you up right here!” I politely decline the offer.

     “You really should floss, you know.”

     World attention is, and has been for some considerable years, focused elsewhere, and Burma is an all but forgotten conflict.

     In January, China and Russia vetoed a US backed resolution on Burma before the United Nations Security Council. In a landmark vote, China, Russia and non-permanent member South Africa opposed the passing of the resolution that called on the Burmese military rulers to allow political dialogue and reform. All three claimed that the situation in Burma was not a threat to international peace and security and was therefore not an issue that should be dealt with by the Council.

     China alleged that the US and UK efforts to pass the resolution were neither logical nor reasonable; these sentiments were echoed by the Russians.

     Oddly enough, South Africa became the wild card in this negative triumvirate by expressing their belief that “the resolution would compromise the good offices of the Secretary General in dealing with sensitive matters of peace, security and human rights.”

     The United States’ acting ambassador to the UN, Alejandro D. Wolff, reminded the council that the Burmese military “arbitrarily arrests, tortures, rapes and executes its own people…..”

     Mr Wolff later addressed the people of Burma through the media by saying-“This was an attempt to bring the situation to the attention of the world community, to send a clear signal that we have not forgotten you. We won’t forget you,” he added.

     These words will provide little comfort to those hounded from their homes by the military juggernaut that is the Burma Army, and who tonight will sleep under the jungle canopy, unsure of what lies ahead of them tomorrow.

     The one constant for such unfortunates is the sight of the men in olive green at the head of a string of porters laden with all manner of relief items. Moscow and Beijing may have the power to block moves to bring relief at government level, but on the ground where it counts, the teams of the Free Burma Rangers just keep on coming.

     As one team leader put it to me—“No one has the power to stop me loving my fellow man.”

     The Free Burma Rangers are funded by donations they receive from Christian churches and fellowships, and countless individuals from across the globe. If, like me, you just happen to be past your sell-by-date when it comes to abseiling down a jungle ravine, or route marching for days on end through seemingly impenetrable jungle, why not settle for making a donation.

     Currently the best way to do this is to log-on to the Free Burma Rangers website and to contact those manning the site via email: info@freeburmarangers.org. You will then receive directions as to how best to place your donation.