MFA issues statement on Bahraini refugee footballer

 

 

BANGKOK, 6th February 2019, (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an 8-point statement in response to criticism of Thailand in regard to its treatment of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, as follows: 

"1. Thailand had previously not been aware of Mr. Hakeem’s case and does not have any prejudice against him. Indeed, we would not have become involved in the issue had we not received a red notice alert from Australian Interpol and the subsequent formal request by Bahrain for his arrest and extradition. 

2. It took several days after the arrival of Mr. Hakeem, before the Australian authorities informed us that the red notice had been cancelled. By that time, legal proceedings in Thailand regarding Mr. Hakeem had already started and could not be reversed. 

3. The case is now in the purview of the Court of Justice. In proceeding with the legal process, the Executive Branch cannot interfere with the judicial process. This is an internationally recognised principle upheld by all countries, including Australia. 

4. We ask that everyone refrain from prejudging the Court’s rulings and prematurely jumping to the conclusion that Thailand will extradite Mr. Hakeem to Bahrain. The Court will consider this case thoroughly and in accordance with the due process of law and the evidence provided, including Bahrain’s arrest warrant and court order for Mr. Hakeem, who had earlier been convicted under Bahraini laws. In their formal request, Bahrain has provided us with all relevant documents. The Office of the Attorney General has considered those documents and found that they meet the legal conditions to be filed with the Court. Thus, the Office of the Attorney General has filed the extradition request with the Court of Justice for the latter’s consideration. 

5. At the same time, the Thai Court is ready to consider all facts and evidence presented to it by Mr. Hakeem’s lawyers. 

6. Thailand does not gain anything from holding Mr. Hakeem in custody. But as a sovereign country that has legal obligations and commitments to the international community, Thailand finds itself in the middle of a case involving two countries competing for Mr. Hakeem’s custody. Under such circumstances, Thailand has no other legitimate option but to (1) cooperate in accordance with the law and (2) suggest that the two countries, both good friends of Thailand and good friends with one another, talk to each other to sort out their problems and come up with their own solution, instead of calling for an indirect solution from Thailand, which has only become involved in this case by chance. 

7. We therefore believe that we have a legitimate right to urge Australia and Bahrain to talk to each other and find a mutually agreeable solution. Whatever that solution may be, Thailand stands ready to support it in order to achieve a result that is mutually satisfactory (win-win) for all. 

8. Thailand hopes that Australia and Bahrain will have the goodwill to earnestly work together towards finding a win-win solution to this issue. In that way, we believe that those following this case in Thailand and around the world will praise both Australia and Bahrain for their efforts." 

The statement can be obtained from http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/news3/6886/99433-Ministry-of-Foreign-Affairs’-Statement-on-the-Aust.html.

 

-- nnt 2019-02-07

 

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

Australian authorities informed us that the red notice had been cancelled

In that case there is no reason for him to be in custody and should be released immediately

 

If Thailand want Australia and Bahrain to sort the issue out between them why have they locked him up - send him back to Australia were he came from, Thailand should not be involved in this at all.  

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by smedly

Absolute hogwash. I don't think people would be quite as outraged if Thailand allowed bail for him and him to not be shackled after never having committed any crimes on Thai soil or against Thailand or its people.

The fact he is locked up and without liberty while those who have done harm to Thailand are given bail under the most ridiculous of circumstances.

 

But lets be honest. This mess has been made a lot worse by Thailand, despite any denials that they have.

 

I feel dreadfully sorry for this man, I really do

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by z42

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

By that time, legal proceedings in Thailand regarding Mr. Hakeem had already started and could not be reversed. 

thailand is an international laughingstock; good governance is for other countries

I feel sorry for him being dealt with by this bunch of disgraceful, unfunny clowns.

 

They are playing games with a mans life  the World is watching Thailand #BoycottThailand

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

We therefore believe that we have a legitimate right to urge Australia and Bahrain to talk to each other and find a mutually agreeable solution

Seriously? One only needs to look at Bahrains human rights record and how they tortured and imprisoned people in the wake of the Arab spring to know that they won't be acting reasonably at all.

 

 

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

2. It took several days after the arrival of Mr. Hakeem, before the Australian authorities informed us that the red notice had been cancelled. By that time, legal proceedings in Thailand regarding Mr. Hakeem had already started and could not be reversed. 

With new evidence any court proceedings can be cancelled only needs the desire to do so .

Every day this man stays in prison is another day Thailand loses more face.

 

Thailand, you're not dealing with yourself here. Your BS won't wash with the outside world. Release this man asap and save yourself from anymore of your silly self-made childish stupidity. 

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by rkidlad

4 minutes ago, keith101 said:

With new evidence any court proceedings can be cancelled only needs the desire to do so .

He could be released faster than Prayut could say 'article 44'

seems to me the entanglements of Australian bureaucracy is the real cause of all this, same way they dropped the ball on the Saudi girl...  

28 minutes ago, z42 said:

Absolute hogwash. I don't think people would be quite as outraged if Thailand allowed bail for him and him to not be shackled after never having committed any crimes on Thai soil or against Thailand or its people.

The fact he is locked up and without liberty while those who have done harm to Thailand are given bail under the most ridiculous of circumstances.

 

But lets be honest. This mess has been made a lot worse by Thailand, despite any denials that they have.

 

I feel dreadfully sorry for this man, I really do

 

As stated he has committed no crime in Thailand, is not even suspected of any crime in Thailand, there is no evidence of violence in any way, the Australian government withdrew the red notice and it seems they have confirmed the red notice should never have been issued and there's mention that the charge of damaging a police station in Bahrain was withdrawn a long time back when evidence was produced to prove he was in another country at that time.

 

Even with all of the above known to the Thai authorities they take him to a court not only shackled but in bare feet.

 

How utterly shameful that they did this. Normal Thai behavior dictates strongly that walking around in public, and especially to a venue such as a court is utterly inappropriate even insulting or contempt.

 

If he was  already convicted of a serious violent crime then maybe bare foot is not surprising. I can't believe the warders could not have found even a pair of second hand thongs for him to wear.

 

Shame Thailand, shame shame shame. 

 

Cases, even serious cases, are dismissed continuously in Thai courts same as other countries, in Thailand even very serious cases dismissed because compensation has been paid allowing the errant person to escape the natural intent of justice to punish those committing crimes as a deterrent to the person involved and a s a deterrent to others

 

IMHO there is no reason whatever, given the whole circumstances, why the case could not have been dismissed and put him and his young wife on the next flight back to where he is safe.

 

Bahrain has a pretty nasty record of violence against even its own citizens, even for petty crimes, so why didn't Thailand take the normal humanitarian decision to not send a person back to a country where there is a possibility of violence or torture against the person?

 

Totally totally shameful.

 

 

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by scorecard

"Legal proceedings could not be reversed" 

Remember this statement, things can change.

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand finds itself in the middle of a case involving two countries competing for Mr. Hakeem’s custody

Only one country is seeking his custody, the other seeks his freedom.....Which is more important to Thailand?

48 minutes ago, SammyT said:

Seriously? One only needs to look at Bahrains human rights record and how they tortured and imprisoned people in the wake of the Arab spring to know that they won't be acting reasonably at all.

 

 

And hell will freeze over before Bahrain and Australia reach a "compromise" on this matter. Wishful thinking.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

had already started and could not be reversed. 

of  course they could you winker

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

thailand is an international laughingstock; good governance is for other countries

yeah but they dont think so, they are the master race

1 hour ago, webfact said:

By that time, legal proceedings in Thailand regarding Mr. Hakeem had already started and could not be reversed

A most remarkable comment (excuse). I doubt there are any legal institutions throughout the world where charges cant' be reversed of halted for whatever reasons. In Thailand money is seen as a great motivator to have criminal or civil charges dropped.

Perhaps the court and other hangers on are just waiting to see who can come up with the biggest envelope; Australia or Bahrain.

5 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

A most remarkable comment (excuse). I doubt there are any legal institutions throughout the world where charges cant' be reversed of halted for whatever reasons. In Thailand money is seen as a great motivator to have criminal or civil charges dropped.

Perhaps the court and other hangers on are just waiting to see who can come up with the biggest envelope; Australia or Bahrain.

I see that as a given. As no one else has suggested it, I assume we all think the same.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has no other legitimate option but to (1) cooperate in accordance with the law and (2) suggest that the two countries, both good friends of Thailand and good friends with one another, talk to each other to sort out their problems and come up with their own solution, instead of calling for an indirect solution from Thailand, which has only become involved in this case by chance. 

That's pretty much it in a nutshell.  Thailand is abiding by International law in regards to Interpol Red Notices.  This is a valid point.  Instead of hammering Thailand to release the guy, hammer Bahrain to rescind the charges.  Won't happen imho. Aus is in a better position to bully Thailand than to bully Bahrain.   

Thailand and its governance have backed themselves into a corner,  if the red notice that now somehow was cancelled , all it takes is for the police and Immigration not to proceed with the case , there's no excuses, as a nation the Government and its departments represent the people , you're full of B/S, a poor reflection indeed on Thailand

Interesting that they describe this as a conflict between Australia and Bahrain with Thailand caught in the middle. Time for other countries to step up and be heard so that it becomes clear it is not just Australia on the side of this man's rights as a refugee.

 

A loud enough multi-lateral international outcry could make the difference.

1 hour ago, connda said:

Thailand is abiding by International law in regards to Interpol Red Notices.  

What do they abide to? There is no red notice any more.

 

 

It's a bit mealy-mouthed isn't it?

 

 

 

2 hours ago, connda said:

That's pretty much it in a nutshell.  Thailand is abiding by International law in regards to Interpol Red Notices.  This is a valid point.  Instead of hammering Thailand to release the guy, hammer Bahrain to rescind the charges.  Won't happen imho. Aus is in a better position to bully Thailand than to bully Bahrain.   

Thailand has a long and ignominious history of arresting (and sometimes then deporting) people with authentic refugee status in order to kiss backsides or flip the finger, depending upon which other country shares the stage, whether TL wishes to send a message and whether TL owes any favours. In other words, what you get outside TL (especially in respect of law and order) is the same moveable feast as you get inside, and according to the same fluid criteria. They don't even know how to make the 2 things different.

 

In this respect, as in others, Thailands credibility is zero.

2 hours ago, chainarong said:

Thailand and its governance have backed themselves into a corner,  if the red notice that now somehow was cancelled , all it takes is for the police and Immigration not to proceed with the case , there's no excuses, as a nation the Government and its departments represent the people , you're full of B/S, a poor reflection indeed on Thailand

In fact surely thers a case to sat the Thai authorities are totally derelict in several matters of jurisprudence if they don't cancel the proceedings, and that also means appropriate Thai gov't folks should be charged with dereliction and, if guilty punished. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Head honchos there are mates of head honchos here.

 

Obvious why this is happening. 

 

Can't talk about it though.

And therein lies the seed of all of Thailand's woes.

Well I must be losing my senses as the Thai explanation seemed to me to be perfectly reasonable. But there is nothing but criticism from the posters above who only read news reports and and have no idea about the real situation (same as me). Why would they (Thai authorities) want to make a decision one way or the other as it does not affect them.

Maybe the posters just hate Thailand.

25 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Well I must be losing my senses as the Thai explanation seemed to me to be perfectly reasonable. But there is nothing but criticism from the posters above who only read news reports and and have no idea about the real situation (same as me). Why would they (Thai authorities) want to make a decision one way or the other as it does not affect them.

Maybe the posters just hate Thailand.

I take it you are unfamiliar with the self-interest-based endemic corruption ever-present in all Thai administrations including the current one. I must say your comment strikes me as very naive. No due process here.

So legal proceedings in Thailand once started cannot be reversed. Mmmmmm?

They are insinuating that the legal system works, and is not influenced by anyone ????????