Canada Welcomes Thai Move On Tamil Migrants

[webfact]

Canada welcomes Thai move on Tamil migrants

OTTAWA, October 19, 2010 (AFP) - Ottawa on Monday welcomed Thailand's arrest for possible deportation more than 150 Tamil migrants who some reports said wanted to seek asylum in Canada.

Thailand is holding 128 Tamil migrants for possible deportation even though some have registered with the United Nations as asylum seekers, authorities said in Bangkok Wednesday.

"I would like to commend the Thai authorities for their recent successful action to help interdict apparent human smuggling. We do know that that country has been a transit point for the very dangerous exploitation that is represented by the criminal syndicates running the human smuggling business," said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

"We resettle more refugees than any other country in the world on a per capita basis," Kenney said.

And "we receive more immigrants than any other developed country but we will not tolerate the systematic violation of our immigration laws or the fairness of our immigration system by exploitive human smugglers," Kenney said.

Thai police originally arrested 155 people, but some were freed because they were able to present valid travel documents, said Colonel Worawat Amornwiwat, a spokesman for the immigration service.

"These people are minority Tamils fleeing war in their country and seeking asylum through the UN. But they came to Thailand with tourist visas, allowing them to stay only 60 days, and they overstayed," he said in Bangkok.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-19

[OzMick]

Why don't they go to Tamil Nadu?

[chantorn]

These Tamil needs to be send back to Sri Lankan; and if found to have broken any law, be put in jail (jail are for criminals). They must not be rewarded to have a good live in Canada.

[thaieagle67]

Why don't they go to Tamil Nadu?

Totally agree with OzMick, they want their own state and they have one, just a boat ride away and full of their own kind. Thailand and Canada should just send them there, no war, same religion, same language, no brainer IMHO. Why should other countries have to be burdened with them, let their "brothers" take care of them.

[geriatrickid]

What's left out of the article is the following information;

1. The most recent arrival of a boat originating in Thailand withTamils claiming refugee status in Canada included several alleged Tamil Tiger terrorists.

2. The 1st boat was originally intended for Australia, but switched to Canada after Australia was preparing an interdiction. Canada was furious with Thailand for letting the 1st boat go. Australia backed Canada.

3. The 1st boat generated sufficient profits for the smugglers that they financed 2 more boats.

4. Thailand allowed the Canadian task force entry into Thailand. Working on behalf of the CSIS, CBSA and Immigration Canada the task force received assistance from Australian intelligence assets and worked with Thai authorities to stop the bogus refugees.

5. There is another boat preparing to leave and it may be destined for either Australia or Canada. There are now Canadian and Australian defense assets working to stop that. Thailand has the option of maintaining its sovereignty or being embarrassed by the close proximity of Australian and Canadian naval vessels.

[JusMe]

Why don't they go to Tamil Nadu?

Lots of room there, too, as many Tamils living there are now crossing over to Sri Lanka. If they want repatriation, must be a nasty place, eh?

[dddave]

There was an extensive article in the press I happened on last month detailing just how sophisticated and well financed the Tamil network was in Thailand. They were able to buy an old, decrepit cargo vessel destined for the scrap yard in Songkla and recondition it to sea worthiness. They were able to pretty much hide the ship from Thai authorities even though they were aware of it.

They warehoused several hundred Tamil's in Thai apartment blocks located in obscure areas, often ten or more to a room.

They messed up when the departure date arrived. They transported the human cargo in a caravan of vans to some obscure coastal location which caught the attention of local authorities and they were rounded up.

There are a lot of Tamil's around the world that continue to financially support the Tigers so they are well funded and there clearly is still a hard core cadre that will never give up the struggle.

Canada and Australia are right to be very cautious about receiving them.

[yellow1red1]

What's left out of the article is the following information;

1. The most recent arrival of a boat originating in Thailand withTamils claiming refugee status in Canada included several alleged Tamil Tiger terrorists.

2. The 1st boat was originally intended for Australia, but switched to Canada after Australia was preparing an interdiction. Canada was furious with Thailand for letting the 1st boat go. Australia backed Canada.

3. The 1st boat generated sufficient profits for the smugglers that they financed 2 more boats.

4. Thailand allowed the Canadian task force entry into Thailand. Working on behalf of the CSIS, CBSA and Immigration Canada the task force received assistance from Australian intelligence assets and worked with Thai authorities to stop the bogus refugees.

5. There is another boat preparing to leave and it may be destined for either Australia or Canada. There are now Canadian and Australian defense assets working to stop that. Thailand has the option of maintaining its sovereignty or being embarrassed by the close proximity of Australian and Canadian naval vessels.

6. interdiction is the key, Canada agents must luv working in Thailand where they can treat them like miscreants and criminals; once in Canada its kids' gloves for the heros who make it

[sirchai]

Why don't they go to Tamil Nadu?

I guess because they aren't from India. Sri Lankan Tamils are pretty often Tamil Tigers.

[Colabamumbai]

Canada has a large population of Tamil Tigers. The Tamils closed down the center of Toronto last summer with large protests, wanting to make the world aware of the plight of the Tamil people.

[Scott]

Geriatrickid, thanks for the comprehensive information about the situation with these people. It makes it hard for people facing genuine persecution when the system of refugee status is taken advantage of.

[asiawatcher]

What's left out of the article is the following information;

1. The most recent arrival of a boat originating in Thailand withTamils claiming refugee status in Canada included several alleged Tamil Tiger terrorists.

2. The 1st boat was originally intended for Australia, but switched to Canada after Australia was preparing an interdiction. Canada was furious with Thailand for letting the 1st boat go. Australia backed Canada.

3. The 1st boat generated sufficient profits for the smugglers that they financed 2 more boats.

4. Thailand allowed the Canadian task force entry into Thailand. Working on behalf of the CSIS, CBSA and Immigration Canada the task force received assistance from Australian intelligence assets and worked with Thai authorities to stop the bogus refugees.

5. There is another boat preparing to leave and it may be destined for either Australia or Canada. There are now Canadian and Australian defense assets working to stop that. Thailand has the option of maintaining its sovereignty or being embarrassed by the close proximity of Australian and Canadian naval vessels.

Wow - are you a spook? Where'd ya get it all? (seriously)

Edited October 19, 2010 by asiawatcher

[Colabamumbai]

These Tamil needs to be send back to Sri Lankan; and if found to have broken any law, be put in jail (jail are for criminals). They must not be rewarded to have a good live in Canada.

Many of them own businesses in Canada and do have a good life.