Congressman Joseph Crowley Thursday called on Thailand to halt the repatriation of ethnic Karen refugees to a dangerous conflict zone in eastern Burma.

In his press release, Crowley said the area was dangerous for the refugees because the ruling military regime has destroyed over 3,300 ethnic minority villages.

He said the Burmese refugees, who fled to Thailand following a renewed summer military offensive by the military junta, could suffer horrific human rights abuses -‬‪including rape, torture, and executions - if repatriated. ‬‪‬‪

"I strongly urge the government of Thailand to halt the deportation of ethnic Karen refugees back to the Burmese conflict zone. If this decision isn't reversed, thousands of Burmese refugees will be forced to live in grave danger," said Congressman Joe Crowley.

"The brutal Burmese junta has shown no mercy in the past, and the international community is very concerned for the safety of the Karen who are returned to Burma."

The Nation 5 February 2010