Voice of the Zomi Refugees:: Zomi International Refugee Council

Lamentation of the Zomi Refugees in India, Maylay and Thai in the jungle!


We were born in the hilly area in between Burma proper and Assam India,
Which our ancestors called “Zogam”.

Aliens invaded our Zogam, colonized us and seized our sovereignty;
And named the hills, the dales, and the territory “Chin Hills”.

By birth we are “Zomi” the name by which our fore fathers called themselves before pre history.
But the invaders imposed “Chin” to us, to mean uncivilized people.

Christianity civilized our society, opened our eyes, and then we knew how to read and write.
Civic, manner, etiquette, and ethic were part of our life began.

Harmony and tranquility endeavored in our Zogam
Henceforth love, peace and joy endured.

Our fore-fathers fought for independence and gained in 1948, to free from imperialism.
Our portion was inequality, partiality being as a minority Christian ethnic in the Union of Burma.

Military government took power in 1962, in which we lived in danger and uncertainty.
Misled the country, misappropriated it’s wealth to lead to the poorest nation in the world.

Nation wide demonstration for Democracy broke out in 1988,
Neither Democracy nor freedom was gained; instead tyrant military junta took power.

Sadistic soldiers were everywhere; ethnic cleansing and burmanization are their policy.
Search porter for human shield and conscript minor for human mine detector in the battlefield.

Force labor, force sex slave and torture are their daily practice and norms;
Freedom from fear we fled out of our beloved homeland.

Seek refuge in India and Thai Myanmar border Refugee camps,
Since we are poor and weary to reach to Malaysia.

Cry for help to our Zomi brethren and Zomi Innkuan,
Compassionate concern is bestowed only to Zomi refugee seekers in Malaysia.

We are the abandon and forgotten Zomi refugees,
Where art thou, thou who say “ I was born as Zomi, live as Zomi and shall die as Zomi”.

We have no access either telephone or Internet to contact with the outside world.
Who will come and help us, who will advocate our sufferings and hunger to the authorities,
We will lift up our eyes to the hills-From whence comes our help? Our help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. All mighty GOD, THOU art our Comforter and Hope.

Source: Zomi International Network