[10/19/05 Editor's note: Although I am still frustrated with the UN as an institution which often seems impotent in being able to help when it is really needed, it has come to my attention that the UN officer in this story gave the advice to Narinjara as a friend in good faith. I wouldn't want to imply that he does not personally care about the refugees in Bangladesh. But the Bangladesh government still sucks, and toothless UN policies to protect the rights of refugees and activists also suck.]

Apparently, the UNHCR has begun advising activists not to be activists for their own good. Mizzima reports that Narinjara's editor-in-chief was advised last week that his organization could face 'strong action' from Bangladesh authorities if they continued their media work.

Since Burma's General Thura Shwe Mann visited Dhaka for high level discussions last month, Narinjara has been well aware that strenghthened relations between the junta and Bangladesh could have negative repercussions for the safety of refugees and exiled activists there. But, thanks to the UNHCR for offering their support, hey?

Seriously, the UNHCR's primary function to protect refugees, so perhaps the comments were offered by way of a "Hey, watch your back", and not a "Hey, you should stop being activists". But still, they are a human rights body, and as such, I can't help thinking their time would be much better spent encouraging governments to support the rights of refugees and activists, rather than encouraging activists to give it up. Its not as if they aren't aware of the risk inherent in their work, they aren't just playing at being journalists because they have nothing better to do, are they? Perhaps the folks at the UNHCR just expect them to give up their work and go sit in a refugee camp and wait for the UN to rescue them and their nation? Perhaps this is just one more example of how much the UN really cares about refugees in Bangladesh. The most the UN has done for the 150 urban refugees in Dhaka is give them nominal status as refugees. They have no right to apply for resettlement in third countries, and they have no rights to work in Bangladesh.

The junta has referred to Burma's exiled journalists as "destructive elements in disguise". There is an ironic truth to that statement. Burma's media activists are collectively recording the true state of affairs, and the future history of Burma. They are recording the truth that the junta tries so hard to cover up and manipulate. The junta's supporters may stick around so long as it is financially beneficial, but thanks to organizations like Narinjara, the world will always know the true character of the generals.

(Thanks to The Open Society Institute for supporting Narinjara News, and other exiled journalists and activists)

[Editor's note: Although I am still frustrated with the UN as an institution which often seems impotent in being able to help when it is really needed, it has come to my attention that the UN officer in this story gave the advice to Narinjara as a friend in good faith. I wouldn't want to imply that he does not personally care about the refugees in Bangladesh. But the Bangladesh government still sucks, and toothless UN policies to protect the rights of refugees and activists also suck.]