MoU on releasing refugee children

By THE NATION

 

 

THE UN Refugee Agency has welcomed the government’s decision to stop detaining young refugees and asylum seekers.

 

Several government agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which provides a framework for the release of children detained in immigration detention centres nationwide. 

 

The MoU was signed by the National Security Council, the Royal Thai Police and the ministries of Social Development and Human Security, Interior, Labour, Public Health and Education. 

 

This is a concrete outcome of a pledge made by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the September 2016 Leaders’ Summit on Refugees at the United Nations in New York, notably to end the practice of detaining children of refugees and asylum seekers. 

 

The UNHCR, UN agencies and NGOs were consulted during the process leading up to the signing.

 

“This MoU is a positive example of Thailand’s humanitarian approach to refugees and asylum seekers, and is supported by the recent release of mothers and children,” Giuseppe De Vincentiis, UNHCR’s representative in Thailand, said.

 

“As an immediate next step, the UNHCR hopes the remaining mothers and children who are still in detention centres will soon be released and all separated families reunited.”

 

 Globally, UNHCR advocates against the detention of refugees and asylum seekers and for more humane and more effective alternatives to be pursued.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30362688

 

— The Nation 2019-01-21

Good. When I used to visit the police cells in Pattaya, three times a week, with a local charity to give food and water to the inmates, it used to sicken me to see immigrant kids locked up in dirty stinking cells. I have no idea if the international spotlight on the Saudi girl recently has caused this, or if Thailand has started moving towards being more civilised. I don't really care either way. Locking children up like animals was utterly wrong and I am overjoyed to hear the practice is being terminated.

Always happy to see another glamorous MoU signing. Watch things move rapidly from this point.. 

Does anyone know if Thailand has signed up to the new UN Migration Compact, which went "live" a few weeks ago? Proving difficult to get an up-to-date list.