Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams” BHRN asked refugees if they felt hopeful about the future to gain insight into how their situation has impacted their outlook on their own futures. Despite all the difficulties they faced, most said they were hopeful. Usually, they said what in particular they held onto to maintain their hope, like the prospect of returning to Burma. A little over a quarter of refugees said they did not feel hopeful about their future, usually crediting this to a sense that they cannot return to Burma and that their lives will have to continue as they are now in the camps. A 38-year old woman told BHRN, “No, I don’t feel hopeful about our future. Even, I have turned less hopeful about our return when people are saying that it won’t happen. I became less hopeful when people said we will not be repatriated to Myanmar soon. We might not be repatriated ever. We think we are not able to return there because Allah has not wished for it. No, we don’t feel [hopeful] about anything. We hear that the Myanmar government is arrogant, and can’t even be summoned to any court. So, we don’t think we can be repatriated there. A 47-year-old woman told BHRN, “It would be very better for us if we are settled in a third country instead of Myanmar. This is what I am hopeful about. If we live in Myanmar, its government tortures us, burns our houses, kills our people, and doesn’t let us live peacefully. If we return there, we can’t stay peacefully. We are not living here peacefully. So, I think we would be at peace if we were settled in a third country. Because of these issues, we are looking for peace.” www.bhrn.org.uk 49