Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey has raised the profile and taken up the issue of the reported kidnapping of approximately 50 Karen children from a Thai-Burma border orphanage with the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights in Switzerland.
Archbishop Hickey last week wrote to Madam Navanethem Pillay, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights based in Geneva.
He urged Madam Pillay to intervene in the matter with a view to finding the perpetrators and rescuing the children.
His action signals he will not let the matter drop, after having raised the matter with Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith, a fortnight ago.
“I wish to draw your attention to the abduction of 50 children, boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 13, from a Thai Orphanage in Sang Kan Buri near the Thailand/Myanmar border,” the Archbishop wrote to Madam Pillay.
“The Orphanage is run by a Buddhist Sister, the Venerable Maechee, head of the local Temple. Until recently the Orphanage held 94 children, all Karen, victims of the struggles between the Karen people and the Burmese military.
“People connected with the Orphanage have told me that on the night of 28 December 2009 50 children disappeared overnight. Villagers recounted that a large truck had been seen close to the Orphanage that night. The children have not been seen since.
“A Karen teacher had recently begun teaching Thai to the children. By all accounts he was charming. He disappeared the night of the abduction, giving rise to the suspicion that he was in league with the raiders. The Buddhist Sisters reported the abduction to the Thai authorities. As yet, there has been no result.
“A Presentation Sister from Perth, Sr Cecelia, herself Thai, has been working in the area for some time. She is very familiar with the Orphanage and confirms the account of the abduction.
“Mrs Adelia Bernard, of the One Heart Association based in Perth, is a regular visitor to the Thai border and regularly fundraises for the Orphanages.
“I have written to the Foreign Minister of Australia, Mr Stephen Smith, asking him to make representations to the Thai Government on behalf of the Australian Government to continue the investigation of this appalling incident.
“It is feared that the children have been abducted into the sexual trafficking of young people sadly common today.
“On behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth I respectfully but earnestly request the intervention of the United Nations Organisation with a view to finding the perpetrators and rescuing the children.
“I cannot express how distressing and shocking this incident has been for the Orphanage staff and the other children. It is shared by great numbers of people here in Western Australia, where it has had some publicity.”