To the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva,<\/p>\n
THAILAND: CALL FOR AN OPEN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND KILLING OF ROHINGYA BY THAI AUTHORITIES<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n The Action Network for Migrants (Thailand) and the Mekong Migration Network, representing migrants and refugees in Thailand and the Mekong, are deeply concerned that the treatment of migrants and refugees in Thailand is inconsistent and thus does not adhere to prevailing international human rights standards. Without a coherent policy, the treatment of refugees and migrants has been left to the discretionary judgment of government officials to deal with situations as they arise.<\/p>\n We are particularly concerned about the recent reports that in late December 2008, allegedly 427 Rohingya were forcefully sent back to International water by Thai authorities, whereby only 102 survived when they were rescued by Indian Coast Guards. The others are feared dead.<\/p>\n \u2018Local human rights groups who have interviewed survivors, say Rohingya refugees from Burma, were held on the remote Koh Sai Daeng off southern Thailand in December, forced back on boats with their hands bound and set adrift with little food and water\u2026\u2019 Bangkok Post, 18\/1\/2009 – Alleged abuse of refugees probed, Thai Military Accused of Role in Deaths of Hundreds of Burmese Boat People<\/p>\n In the same Bangkok Post report, it was also revealed that there was another incident just before the New Year, when the Thai authorities towed 600 Burmese migrants out to sea in four boats. Allegedly, one of these boats is still missing and more than 200 Burmese refugees on board are now feared dead.<\/p>\n ANM and MMN is pleased that the Thai government has indicated that they will be investigating the matter, but it is felt that since the alleged perpetrators are the Thai Navy and\/or the Thai Immigration Authority, we believe that this investigation should not be done by a government Ministry, but rather a multi-sectoral commission that should conduct its inquiry in an open and transparent manner.<\/p>\n It is our position that the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand should also conduct their own independent inquiry.<\/p>\n ANM and MMN also call upon the Thai government to immediately adopt the position that it will not in the future set any persons, including refugees and asylum seekers, adrift in sea. The Thai government should allow these people to land, and should adhere to the highest standards of rights and justice including its commitment as contained in the 1999 Bangkok Declaration on Irregular Migration, where persons will be \u2018\u2026granted humanitarian treatment, including appropriate health and other services\u2026\u201d There should be no unfair treatment.<\/p>\n The Thai Government must Protect the security, safety and well-being of the Rohingya who are currently seeking safety and refuge on Thai soil. They should be provided with all the basic facilities and support needed for survival in accordance with international humanitarian standards and principles.<\/p>\n ANM and MMN also call upon the Thai government to immediately set up a joint government and non-government committee to produce a coherent national policy for welfare and protection to avoid future incidents and oversee\/ monitor the treatment of asylum-seekers and migrants in Thailand.<\/p>\n In order to guarantee the future systematic protection of all refugees and migrants, we strongly urge the Thai Government to immediately ratify the International Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of Migrants and their families (1990).<\/p>\n Finally, the Action Network for Migrants (Thailand) and the Mekong Migration Network implores Thai Government to call on all governments of ASEAN to condemn and call for a complete cessation to all human rights abuses carried out by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) that remains the root cause forcing people to flee to the other countries of ASEAN.<\/p>\n Yours sincerely Cc: Thai version (PDF 142KB)<\/a><\/font> January 21th, 2009<\/font><\/strong><\/em> January 20th, 2009<\/font><\/strong><\/em> January 19th, 2009<\/strong><\/em><\/font> January 18th, 2009<\/strong><\/em><\/font> January 17th, 2009<\/strong><\/em><\/font> January 16th, 2009<\/strong><\/em><\/font> January 15th, 2009<\/strong><\/em><\/font> January 14th, 2009<\/strong><\/em><\/font> To the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, THAILAND: CALL FOR AN OPEN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND KILLING OF ROHINGYA BY THAI AUTHORITIES The Action Network for Migrants (Thailand) and the Mekong Migration Network, representing migrants and refugees in Thailand and the Mekong, are deeply concerned that the treatment of migrants and 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\nCommittee of The Action Network for Migrants (Thailand)
\nSteering committee of Mekong Migration network<\/p>\n
\n1. The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
\n2. Ministry of Foreign Affair
\n3. Ministry of Defense<\/p>\n
\n———–
\n For more information, please check the category,” Rohingya_inhumane treatment by Thailand” in “News on Migration in Mekong” in the MMN website. Or you can jump from the titles of articles below.<\/font><\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nUN request to see boatpeople comes too late<\/a>
\nBangkok Post<\/strong>
\nUNHCR asks govt if it can see Rohingya<\/a>
\nThe Nation<\/strong>
\nNavy did not abuse boat people\u2019s rights: Abhisit<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nPM Abhisit seeks to reassure on refugees Rights groups told not to worry about Rohingya<\/a>
\nThai PM must heed concerns on boatpeople<\/a>
\nThais calling for meeting on boatpeople Bangkok to raise migrants\u2019 plight with neighbours, and defend itself <\/a>
\nBangkok Post<\/strong>
\nAnupong: Army follows humanitarian rules<\/a>
\nIndia fears \u2018hundreds\u2019 died<\/a>
\nThe Nation<\/strong>
\nHundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi still missing at sea<\/a>
\nMCOT English News<\/strong>
\nThai PM: Rohingya rights not violated; UN asks to see detainees<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nArmy head denies torture, but avoids key accusation<\/a>
\nPhotos show army on refugee island<\/a>
\nWashington Post<\/strong>
\nThai Forces Accused of Towing Migrants Out to Sea on Barges<\/a>
\nBangkok Post<\/strong>
\nAbhisit vows refugee cruelty answers<\/a>
\nIrrawaddy<\/strong>
\nThai PM Promises to Investigate Boat People Charges<\/a>
\nAFP News<\/strong>
\nThai PM holds talks on migrant abuse allegations<\/a>
\nBBC<\/strong>
\nThailand to tackle migrant claims<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nWretched reality intrudes on idyll, South China Morning Post<\/a>
\nA timeline of events in the Andaman Sea<\/a>
\nIn search of a better life, they found brutality and death<\/a>
\nHundreds dead, set adrift by Thais<\/a>
\nFour people were shot dead randomly<\/a>
\nBangkok Post<\/strong>
\nAlleged abuse of refugees probed<\/a>
\nThe best remedy is for the new government to recognise the rule of international law<\/a>
\nMCOT English News<\/strong>
\nPM: Thailand will investigate migrant abuse allegations<\/a>
\nReuters India<\/strong>
\nThai PM to meet rights groups on violation reports<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\n\u2018Concerned\u2019 UN refugee agency asks Thais to explain boatpeople policy<\/a>
\nThai rights record is nothing to smile about<\/a>
\nMCOT News<\/strong>
\nThai navy reasserts denial of inhumane acts on illegal migrants<\/a>
\nThe Nation<\/strong>
\nNavy denies ill-treatment of Rohingya migrants from Burma and Bangladesh<\/a>
\nBangkok Post<\/strong>
\nNavy chief rejects Rohingya accusations<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs_Press Release<\/strong>
\nCase of Illegal Migrants entering the Kingdom via the Andaman Sea<\/a>
\nBBC News<\/strong>
\nThais hold more migrants amid row<\/a>
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nRefugees in ordeal on Thai island, HK tourist captures pictures of beachside detention of bound victims by armed guards<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBBC News <\/strong>
\nThais \u2018leave boat people to die\u2019 <\/a>
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nRefugees in ordeal on Thai island, HK tourist captures pictures of beachside detention of bound victims by armed guards<\/a>
\nRepugnant refugee policy must be disowned<\/a>
\nMy shock at rough treatment of refugees on Thai holiday beach, As tourists frolicked, detainees were forced to lie face down at gunpoint<\/a>
\nThe Irrawaddy<\/strong>
\nThailand Urged to Stop Pushing Refugees Out to Sea<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nThais urged to end island detention of boatpeople, Activists criticise the treatment of Rohingya refugees<\/a>
\n
\nJanuary 12th, 2009<\/strong><\/font><\/em>
\nSouth China Morning Post<\/strong>
\nThailand\u2019s secret refugees: hidden on an island, then dumped at sea, Rohingya boatpeople towed to international waters and left with paddles<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"