Video Myanmar: a “human rights disaster,” Thai authorities concerned about COVID outbreak: Human Rights Watch

[Jonathan Fairfield]

A wounded person who is fleeing the violence in Myanmar lies on a stretcher to receive medical treatment at the Thai border village of Mae Sam Laep, Mae Hong Son province, Thailand March 30, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

The situation in Myanmar is an “ongoing human rights disaster,” a deputy director for Human Rights Watch told Thaivisa on Wednesday, as the Thai authorities are preparing for an influx of refugees. 

 

Daily protests demanding the restoration of the previously elected government have been met with a military crackdown that has left more than 500 people dead since the military coup took place on February 1.

 

“The situation (in Myanmar) cries out for international attention”, said Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch.

 

On Monday, human rights groups had claimed that Thai authorities had refused entry to around 2,000 refugees, forcing them to return to Myanmar. 

 

However, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Thailand will not deny entry to people fleeing the violence in Myanmar. 

 

Public health concern 

 

According to Mr Robertson, the Thai authorities have set up around “5 or 6 centres” along the border in preparation for a possible influx of refugees.

 

“The Thai government has a lot of concern about COVID-19”, Mr Robertson said, explaining that social distancing measures are no longer in place as protests continue in Myanmar.

 

He also explained that testing for COVID-19 is no longer occurring and that there was a problem with testing in Myanmar “even before these protests started”.

 

Mr Robertson added that he believes the Thai authorities will provide some form of support for people fleeing Myanmar but may then force them to return to the conflict from which they fled.

 

The news comes as The United States on Tuesday ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members from Myanmar due to concerns over civil unrest.

 

You can watch the interview with Phil Robertson in full below.

 

 

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[simon43]

Um, suggest you check your caption under the first photo.....  My eyes must be getting bad, 'cos I see some people carrying a wounded man, no burning tyres!

[Justgrazing]

20 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

 

However, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Thailand will not deny entry to people fleeing the violence in Myanmar

 

Quite uncomfortable for the P M this must be .. full scale mayhem right next door that now threatens even more any chance of controlling covid .. and all stemming directly from the overthrow of a legitimately elected government .. He's damned no matter which way he acts or what he says on this situation .. 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

On Monday, human rights groups had claimed that Thai authorities had refused entry to around 2,000 refugees, forcing them to return to Myanmar. 

 

However, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Thailand will not deny entry to people fleeing the violence in Myanmar.

So who's telling porkies?

[Tarteso]

18 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

human rights groups had claimed that Thai authorities had refused entry to around 2,000 refugees, forcing them to return to Myanmar. 

 

18 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Thailand will not deny entry to people fleeing the violence in Myanmar. 

Not a single word to the actions of the murderous Generals

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

So who's telling porkies?

We heard the same from the Thai Navy when they send the Rohingya back out to sea in boats without engines.

 

Throughout history, none of the human rights abuses they have committed have really been acknowledged, from Tak Bai, killing civilians in 2010 and back to the Preah Vihear massacre where tens of thousands of Khmer civilians fleeing the Khmer Rouge were forced off cliffs and through minefields.

[brianthainess]

Not letting reporters access or human rights groups in, to see what is truth or not, speaks for itself, what have you got to hide Tu Tu ???????

[Bkk Brian]

Crimes against humanity, murder, torture, forced disappearance all occurring as the world stands idly by, its sickening. Civil war in the making.

 

Thailand should be doing all they can to help and accommodate the refugees instead of sending a representative to attend the recent Military day there, shaking hands with the Generals who have the blood of their own citizens on their hands.

[Surelynot]

21 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

 

Quite uncomfortable for the P M this must be .. full scale mayhem right next door that now threatens even more any chance of controlling covid .. and all stemming directly from the overthrow of a legitimately elected government .. He's damned no matter which way he acts or what he says on this situation .. 

Not so uncomfortable as not to attend the Myanmar Military parade and after slaughter drinks.

 

But I guess he was told by his masters that Thailand had to attend.

[xylophone]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

So who's telling porkies?

Do we really think that the Thai government will tell the truth, when they are known for telling porkies, and to quote an old saying, "they couldn't lie straight in bed".
 

[Olmate]

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

We heard the same from the Thai Navy when they send the Rohingya back out to sea in boats without engines.

 

Throughout history, none of the human rights abuses they have committed have really been acknowledged, from Tak Bai, killing civilians in 2010 and back to the Preah Vihear massacre where tens of thousands of Khmer civilians fleeing the Khmer Rouge were forced off cliffs and through minefields.

Its ok to send refugee boats back.Its Australias current PM,s claim to fame! 

[Mr Meeseeks]

9 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Its ok to send refugee boats back.Its Australias current PM,s claim to fame! 

With engines removed and no food and water? 

 

Also, Australia is entirely transparent and open about its policy, unlike here.

Edited April 1, 2021 by Mr Meeseeks

[Bkk Brian]

11 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Its ok to send refugee boats back.Its Australias current PM,s claim to fame! 

Don't worry, Prayut and the generals have plenty of prior experience of that also, especially off the Phuket coast a few years ago

[Olmate]

4 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

With engines removed and no food and water? 

 

Also, Australia is entirely transparent and open about its policy, unlike here.

 Transparent.Wrong, such matters were classed as classified.national security secret.