Rock-solid plea: Don’t send Bi-2 back to Russia, urges Human Rights Watch director

[webfact]

A Human Rights Watch director pleaded with the Thai authorities not to deport a Russian rock band back to their homeland.

 

Elaine Pearson, the Asia Director of the Human Rights Watch division, revealed that the Russian-Belarusian rock band Bi-2 faces persecution for their outspoken public criticism of the Russian government if Thailand deports them back home.

 

The Thai police arrested the band for allegedly performing a concert without the proper work authorisations. Subsequently, they were transferred to an immigration detention centre pending deportation. Pearson wasted no time in demanding the release of the band, which was formed in 1988 in Bobruisk, Belarus.

 

“The Thai authorities should immediately release the detained members of Bi-2 and allow them to go on their way,

 

“Under no circumstances should they be deported to Russia, where they could face arrest or worse for their outspoken criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

 

by Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of Andrea DiCenzo.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-30

 

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[Pouatchee]

totally confusing reporting. yesterday, on the thai pbs report:

 

Quote

Among the seven band members arrested are Yegor Burtnik and Alexander Uman, Israeli citizens. The band allegedly has two other Israeli citizens, but reports haven’t confirmed these members’ identities. The band has a history of legal trouble with the Russian Government, according the Jerusalem Post.

 

so? russian or israeli? if israeli why would they be deported to russia and why would thailand even get involved?

Edited January 30 by Pouatchee

[Morch]

13 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

totally confusing reporting. yesterday, on the thai pbs report:

 

 

so? russian or israeli? if israeli why would they be deported to russia and why would thailand even get involved?

 

Dual nationality (or even triple, I think, for some).

[Smokin Joe]

Wikipedia has updated the Bi-2 page with new info. I think this is the most detailed citizenship info that has been posted.

 

I doubt that Thailand would be stupid enough to deport people with Israeli and Australian citizenship to Russia, regardless of dual nationality or not. I wonder what passports were used for entering Thailand. If they entered on Russian Passports it would make sense to deport them to Russia in normal circumstances. But this is not normal circumstances. 

 

"In January 2024, members of the group have been arrested in Thailand for allegedly violating immigration regulations and may be deported to Russia, since five of its members have Russian citizenship. As those members also have citizenship of other countries (Israeli and Australian), the issue became a diplomatic concern for several countries, also fueled by arguments that Russian request is related to silencing political dissidents"

[watchcat]

33 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

why would thailand even get involved?

 

From OP:  

44 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Thai police arrested the band for allegedly performing a concert without the proper work authorisations.

 

[Srikcir]

Tell the band members they will be deported.

But ask them where they want to be sent, pending destination nations agree? Within Southeast Asia itself there might be places  agreeable for deportation such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia. Maybe they can get legal gigs to help sustain cost of living. Some members might be accepted to Israel.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“The Thai authorities should immediately release the detained members of Bi-2 and allow them to go on their way,

Go on their way where????

[garzhe]

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Go on their way where????

To wherever they are accepted outside of Russia.

[Muhendis]

31 minutes ago, garzhe said:

To wherever they are accepted outside of Russia.

and/or Belarus.

[spidermike007]

That urging won't mean anything to this administration, any government with the army connected to it here, is completely immoral, ethically bankrupt, and possesses nothing in the way of a moral compass. 

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Go on their way where????

 

Perhaps Ukraine where they would probably get a favourable reception for criticising Pooh-tin and his Government.

[zhounan]

Any news about local sponsor or promoter?

 

I imagine the scene: "Do we need a permit to perform in Thailand?" "Mai pen rai! Just take your instruments!"

[Morch]

Just now, zhounan said:

Any news about local sponsor or promoter?

 

I imagine the scene: "Do we need a permit to perform in Thailand?" "Mai pen rai! Just take your instruments!"

 

Indeed. They also, probably, got an agent/manager who's supposed to handle these things.

[Lorry]

14 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Go on their way where????

Israel invited them to Tel Aviv, and the Thais agreed. 

After intervention of the Russian embassy the deal was canceled. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/30/members-of-russian-anti-war-rock-band-bi-2-face-deportation-from-thailand

[Lorry]

17 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

why would thailand even get involved?

The Russian consulate asked the thai authorities to get Bi-2 delivered to Russia so the Thais obliged

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/30/members-of-russian-anti-war-rock-band-bi-2-face-deportation-from-thailand

[Pouatchee]

4 hours ago, Lorry said:

The Russian consulate asked the thai authorities to get Bi-2 delivered to Russia so the Thais obliged

 

how nice and thoughtful of them.

i guess thais have to keep the tourism #'s up

Edited January 31 by Pouatchee

[Morch]

From what I've read only one of them entered Thailand using an Israeli passport (and will be/was deported to Israel). The rest used their Russian passports, so technically, Russia had some grounds to get involved. Another one also holds an Australian passport, and may be deported there. As to the Russians' intervention - that's obviously bogus and nothing to do with the supposed offense they committed vs. Thai law.

[VocalNeal]

Some stupid idiots decided they didn't need to comply with the laws of the land Got caught and now some NGC thinks they should not be treated according to the law simply because the countries they have citizenships for are at war.

 

Surely if the last thing they wanted was to go home they should have thought about that before and kept their heads down and not worked illegally in a public space.

 

 

[Morch]

33 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Some stupid idiots decided they didn't need to comply with the laws of the land Got caught and now some NGC thinks they should not be treated according to the law simply because the countries they have citizenships for are at war.

 

Surely if the last thing they wanted was to go home they should have thought about that before and kept their heads down and not worked illegally in a public space.

 

 

 

I don't think that's quite the issue. Deporting them etc. is not a problem. The Russian intervention, and it's implications are.

[VocalNeal]

^ But surely they would have known this before they were stupid.

[Morch]

8 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

^ But surely they would have known this before they were stupid.

 

I do not disagree that they were stupid.

No idea if they knew about the rules, or if it was something messed up by their agent, or the Thai promoter or what.

My guess is that they either thought it was taken care of, or did it before without consequences and assumed it was 'safe'.

Being stupid doesn't merit being sent to Russia, where they are likely to be treated badly.