Dozens of Rohingya escape detention in Thailand: police

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Dozens of Rohingya escape detention in Thailand: police

BANGKOK, August 20, 2013 (AFP) - Dozens of Muslim Rohingya boat people from Myanmar escaped Tuesday from a Thai immigration centre, police said, as a rights group called for all of them to be freed from detention.

Some 87 Rohingya men broke out of the detention centre housing 137 asylum-seekers in Sadao, a southern district bordering Malaysia.

They were among nearly 2,000 Rohingya who have been held -- some for many months --for entering Thailand illegally.

Local media reports said they punched a hole in the ceiling and climbed out using a rope made from their clothes.
Authorities are searching for the runaways and have rearrested two of them, according to Suwit Choensiri, a police commander in Songkhla province which includes Sadao.

"The reason for their escape is the pressure they are under after they being detained for long time with no idea of their future," he added.

Many of the asylum-seekers have been locked up in the overcrowded and reportedly insanitary centre for several months.

Thousands of Muslim Rohingya boat people -- including women and children -- have fled Myanmar since Buddhist-Muslim clashes a year ago in its western state of Rakhine.

Those who arrived in Thailand have been "helped on" by the kingdom's navy towards mainly Muslim Malaysia -- their destination of choice -- or detained as illegal immigrants.

Thailand initially said the asylum-seekers would be allowed to stay for six months while the government worked with the UN refugee agency UNHCR to try to find other countries willing to accept them.

But overseas help has not been forthcoming so far, leaving the refugees in limbo and separated from their families.

Thailand has discussed ways to address the issue, including sending the Rohingya to new camps on the border with Myanmar, but separate from their Buddhist compatriots to avoid any flashpoints.

But rights groups have called for their freedom, saying the Rohingya are being detained in cramped and unsanitary conditions and are vulnerable to exploitation.

"The Rohingya have fled horrific abuses in Burma (Myanmar) that would put many at risk were they to return home," according to Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

"Instead of sticking them in border camps or immigration lock-ups, the Thai government should consider allowing the Rohingya to remain, work, and live under temporary protection."


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-08-20

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SONGKHLA
Rohingya detainees escape from detention
The Nation

SADAO: -- Authorities recaptured two of the 87 Rohingya detainees who broke out of an immigration office cell in Songkhla's Sadao district while search for the rest continued.

Songkhla governor Kritsada Boonraj said the latest escape of Rohingya detainees occurred early this morning. They were believed to be attempting to flee into Malaysia.

He said combined forces of Sadao police, immigration, government workers and defence volunteers are searching for the escapees and recaptured two who were found fatigued and with injuries from jumping down from their 10-metre high cell.

The governor said the authorities cordoned off a rubber plantation and other likely areas surrounding the holding cell site to return the rest to detention.

They will be charged with fleeing detention and causing damages to the authorities if they are arrested, said Kritsada.

One hundred thirty seven Rohingyas were reportedly detained at the Sadao immigration Office for several months after they were rescued from human trafficking rings.

Most of the Rohingya minority detainees fled oppression in Myanmar, arriving in Thailand by sea, but they had hoped to disembark in Malaysia.

As the Thai government has no clear policy whether to send the detainees to a third country or not, 30 of them escaped their detention cell on August 9 due to stress but they were all shortly re-arrested by the authorities and returned to their cell.


-- The Nation 2013-08-20

[strawpanda]

Since when was it illegal to be an asylum-seeker?

[LeeThayer]

Since when was it illegal to be an asylum-seeker?

Cannot seek asylum in Thailand, that is it the problem.

[ChrisY1]

Escape...better than being beaten or even killed by the security personnel......

You have to feel for these poor individuals I guess....stateless...no-one wants them.

[noitom]

We hope that "escaped" is not a euphemism for "offered a job by a Thai fish industry official."

[CIHUAHUA]

People around the world think Thailand treats its neighbors badly.

Edited August 20, 2013 by CIHUAHUA

[Harry2]

People around the world think Thailand treats its neighbors badly.

No they don't, in recent years Thailand has hosted vast quantities of refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia & the various Burmese minorities on its Western borders.

But given the horrific level of Muslim terrorism in the South, the last thing they want is yet more Muslims.

Malaysia or Indonesia are the obvious places to send them where they can live among other Muslims & not inflict their seventh century horror on decent people.

[JJttttt1]

Why nobody mentioned the reason why Rohingya left Burma? The reason is the clashes with Burmese. These people illegally crossed Burmese-Bangladeshi border and tried to settle down in the country which didn't invite them. They behaved so badly so not just Buddhists, but even Burmese Muslim don't want them here anymore. But there country, Bangladesh, does not accept them back, nevertheless Rohingya don't differ from Bangladeshis neither ethnically nor linguistically.

Regarding this experience, there is no surprise Thailand doesn't want them on it's territory.

Dear farangs, if you are so kind, why don't you invite Rohingya to your own countries - US, Australia, UK, Western Europe? They would happily use your social security system, will give birth to as many children as possible (with good medical care!) and in 20-30 years there children will teach you and your children how to be good Muslims.

Really better life for Rohingya!

Edited August 21, 2013 by JJttttt1