Release the Rohinya and let them work in Thailand

[webfact]

Release the Rohinya and let them work in Thailand
Brad Adams
Human Rights Watch
Special to The Nation


Rohingyas intercepted on the Thai coast are sent to the crowded Phan Nga immigration detention centre.

BANGKOK: -- The government should end the inhumane separation and detention of ethnic Rohingya families from Myanmar and allow them to contribute to the Thai economy

For years, thousands of ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar's Arakan State have set sail to flee persecution by the Myanmar government. The situation significantly worsened following sectarian violence in Arakan State in June 2012 between Muslim Rohingya and Buddhist Arakanese, which displaced tens of thousands of Rohingya from their homes.

In October 2012, Arakanese political and religious leaders and state security forces committed crimes against humanity in a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" against the Rohingya.

During the so-called "sailing season" between October 2012 and March 2013, more than 35,000 Rohingya are believed to have fled the country. International pressure on Thailand to provide temporary protection to Rohingya arriving on its shores resulted in the current detention policy. Since January, more than 1,800 Rohingya have been sent to immigration detention centres and shelters. However, many thousands more have been intercepted at sea by Thai officials and either redirected to Malaysia or allegedly handed over to people smugglers and human traffickers who demand payment to release them and send them onwards.

Thailand's misnamed "help on" policy towards small boats carrying Rohingya has failed to provide Rohingya asylum-seekers with the protections required under international law, and in some cases significantly increased their risk. Under this policy, the Thai Navy intercepts Rohingya boats that come close to the Thai coast and supposedly provides them with fuel, food, water and other supplies on the condition that the boats continue onward to Malaysia or Indonesia. Instead of helping or providing protection, the "help on" policy either pushes ill-equipped boats of asylum-seekers onwards at sea, or sees them handed over to people smugglers who promise to send the Rohingya onwards for a price, and hand over those unable to pay to human traffickers.

Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution. While Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, under customary international law the Thai government has an obligation of "non-refoulement" - not to return anyone to places where their life or freedom would be at risk. In its "Guidelines on Applicable Criteria and Standards Relating to the Detention of Asylum-Seekers", the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reaffirmed the basic human right to seek asylum and stated that "as a general rule, asylum-seekers should not be detained". The UNHCR guidelines also state that detention should not be used as a punitive or disciplinary measure, or as a means of discouraging refugees from applying for asylum.

On August 13, the Cabinet considered a plan to transfer 1,839 Rohingya who have been held in immigration detention facilities and social welfare shelters across Thailand to refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border.

Some senior Thai officials have recognised the Rohingya's plight but are still considering proposals that would keep them detained. The Thai government needs to end the inhumane detention of Rohingya and ensure the UN refugee agency and other international organisations have full access to provide much-needed protection and assistance.

On August 9, the Thai minister of social development and human security, Paveena Hongsakula, told the media that the detention and trafficking of Rohingya in Thailand were serious human rights issues. Yet at the Cabinet meeting four days later, she proposed sending them to refugee camps, a plan that reportedly has the backing of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul. Despite the fact that many Rohingya fled "ethnic cleansing" and crimes against humanity in Myanmar's Arakan State, the Thai government refuses to consider the Rohingya as refugees.

The Thai authorities have also discussed proposals to create alternative centres for the Rohingya or expand the capacity to hold Rohingya at existing immigration detention centres in Songkhla, Ranong, Prachuab Khiri Khan and Nong Khai provinces.

Since January, the Thai authorities have detained 2,055 Rohingya on the grounds that they entered the country illegally, according to the government. Thailand has separated Rohingya families. Rohingya men have been sent to various immigration detention centres, while Rohingya women and children have been held in shelters managed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

As documented by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Thai and Rohingya human traffickers have gained access to the government shelters and sought to lure out Rohingya women and children. In June, traffickers who promised to reunite Narunisa, a 25-year-old Rohingya in a shelter in Phang Nga province, with her husband in Malaysia for a Bt50,000 fee, instead raped her repeatedly.

Many immigration detention centres are severely overcrowded and lack access to medical services and other basic necessities. Rohingya men are restricted to extremely cramped conditions in small cells resembling large cages, where they barely have room to sit. Some suffer from swollen feet and withered leg muscles due to lack of exercise because they have not been let out of the cells for up to five months. Eight Rohingya men have died from illness while in detention. Interventions by international agencies to provide health services, prompted in part by media exposure and international expressions of concern, have resulted in health improvements, but many Rohingya still face unacceptable risks to their health due to poor detention conditions. The government should recognise that its punitive detention policy is both inhumane and counterproductive.

Since July, Rohingya men fearful of being sent back to persecution in Myanmar or detained indefinitely in Thailand have staged protests at detention facilities in Songkhla and Phang Nga. Approximately 208 Rohingya men, women and children have also escaped from detention to unknown locations.

The Thai authorities should allow the Rohingya to seek migrant worker status, which would permit them to work and move freely. Because the Myanmar government discriminates against the Rohingya, denying them Myanmar nationality, Thailand should waive the nationality verification programme requirement for migrant worker status.

The Rohingya have fled horrific abuses in Myanmar that would put many at risk were they to return home. 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.

HRW urges the Thai government to work closely with the UNHCR, which has the technical expertise to screen for refugee status and the mandate to protect refugees and stateless people. Effective UNHCR screening of all Rohingya boat arrivals would help the Thai government determine who is entitled to refugee status.


-- The Nation 2013-08-23

[theblether]

I agree with that but with a couple of provisos. The UN should step in and fund a temporary housing facility and give them refugee status under UN protection for an initial 3 years.

That happened with many refugees from Kosovo, I saw it with my own eyes. Under this system the refugees cannot apply for asylum from Thailand, Thailand is the host but the UN has legal responsibility. It gives the UN time to examine what to do. In the case of Kosovo they were all repatriated when the conflict ended.

t's not fair to lump the entire burden onto Thailand, the country should be helped by the international community.

[sms747]

Alright for Brad to say this but it would just encourage more strays to turn up

[samran]

Likening them to dogs isn't very helpful.

These are people who have lived in Myanmar for generations and due to a variety of factors are refused or have had their citizenship stripped away.

It says a lot that all they'd want to do is live a peaceful life in the back blocks of Burma, that life has gotten so bad they would rather risk their lives on boats to nowhere than stay.

[theblether]

Alright for Brad to say this but it would just encourage more strays to turn up

They'll show up anyway, the UN has enacted this before. Rather than HRW feasting on this and holding Thailand responsible, they should be fixating their effort on the UN so that when they do turn up they are properly funded and given UN protection.

It's unfair to expect Thailand to shoulder this burden alone.

[MaxLee]

Blind eye deaf ear, international communities are wasting their breath in advising Thailand

Edited August 23, 2013 by MaxLee

[AryanicAristocrat]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

[samran]

^^ yup, whatever. Thailand has muslim communities here for 100's of years.

[yougivemebaby]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

That's the spirit! Don't help people because they could become terrorists. Or do help them and they will be so grateful that they will also become terrorists. Not all muslims are like that. Yes, they tend to be more seclusive with each other. Don't they deserve any basic human rights. If no one helps them, the same thing could happen to anyone.

[BrianCR]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

I live in an area with many Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Buddhist people who all live as friends. You know why? They all respect each other, regardless of religion! The world might just produce less terrorists if people copied and showed more respect to others!

[DocN]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

What a nice and emphatic person you are!

I guess, you are the heart of your community and everybody turns to you, for advice full of love and wisdom!

Meanwhile, back in the real world....

[bigbamboo]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

Is that your final solution to the problem?

Edited August 23, 2013 by bigbamboo

[simple1]

Alright for Brad to say this but it would just encourage more strays to turn up

They'll show up anyway, the UN has enacted this before. Rather than HRW feasting on this and holding Thailand responsible, they should be fixating their effort on the UN so that when they do turn up they are properly funded and given UN protection.

It's unfair to expect Thailand to shoulder this burden alone.

Thailand is not party to the UN 1951 Refugee Convention so would make efforts by international organisations such as UNHCR very challenging. It would be a good idea for the Thai government to ratify and sign to ease their problems with processing refugees and asylum seekers by implementing internationally accepted protocols.

Edited August 23, 2013 by simple1

[alant]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

That's the spirit! Don't help people because they could become terrorists. Or do help them and they will be so grateful that they will also become terrorists. Not all muslims are like that. Yes, they tend to be more seclusive with each other. Don't they deserve any basic human rights. If no one helps them, the same thing could happen to anyone.

Not all muslims are like that, sure I agree, BUT a muslim that condemns the actions of those that kill and maim in the name of Allah are scarce. How does it go, "all that is needed for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing"?

[alant]

I am sure there will be pro and anti the prospect of muslim refugees in Thailand posted on this subject, but I am puzzled why these have not been welcomed with open arms into the muslim states of Malaysia or Indonesia or the Muslim states of the Indian sub continent?

This question is not an back door "dig" at anything, I just would like to understand.

[DocN]

Please Thailand does not need more Muslims n the country especially these types that can be converted into right wing Islamic terrorists just like the Somalians. Send them to other Islamic countries or else put them on the boats and tow them off. The Human Rights Grps and NGOs can go screw themselves! Where are they when these muslims cause problems for other citizens . The muslim religion is such that it claims that all non-believers are infidels and they classify us as worst than dogs that can be killed vice versa thats the way we should treat them.For those of you non-muslims who defend them, I pray the day will never come when u or your loved one is hurt by the actons of these muslims.In fact whenever possible, boycott muslims products and services.

That's the spirit! Don't help people because they could become terrorists. Or do help them and they will be so grateful that they will also become terrorists. Not all muslims are like that. Yes, they tend to be more seclusive with each other. Don't they deserve any basic human rights. If no one helps them, the same thing could happen to anyone.

Not all muslims are like that, sure I agree, BUT a muslim that condemns the actions of those that kill and maim in the name of Allah are scarce. How does it go, "all that is needed for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing"?

I seriously and honestly believe that THESE Muslims right now, have enough problems, not to give a F*** about some radical islamist blowing up people in a far, far away corner of the earth...

[simple1]

I am sure there will be pro and anti the prospect of muslim refugees in Thailand posted on this subject, but I am puzzled why these have not been welcomed with open arms into the muslim states of Malaysia or Indonesia or the Muslim states of the Indian sub continent?

This question is not an back door "dig" at anything, I just would like to understand.

This question and answer has been posed a number of times on TV. But in summary the Myanmar dictatorship revoked Rohingya citizenship in 1982 and nearly all governments will not accept stateless refugees and asylum seekers. For the Indian sub-continent Pakistan has about 1.7 million refugees so highly unlikely they will accept any more. Bangladesh does not recognise Rohingya and refuses entry or detains those illegally crossing the border in detention camps.

Malaysia and Indonesia are not signatories to the UN convention for refugees so adds an additional complexity for UNHCR resettlement efforts. In Malaysia there are roughly 2 million illegal workers from Indonesia so kind of answers the question about capacity for either country to accept additional people from Myanmar.

Saudi Arabia permitted entry for 500k Rohingya in the 1970s, but they are now facing severe problems as the Bangladeshi government is in the process of declaring them non-citizens and cancelling their passports.

[Berkshire]

Blind eye deaf ear, international communities are wasting their breath in advising Thailand

So what's your solution? Just open the door and freely let these refugees in? Which is guaranteed to bring in many more thousands. Are you willing to pry open that wallet of yours to help out? I didn't think so.

[samran]

Blind eye deaf ear, international communities are wasting their breath in advising Thailand

So what's your solution? Just open the door and freely let these refugees in? Which is guaranteed to bring in many more thousands. Are you willing to pry open that wallet of yours to help out? I didn't think so.

The letting them work solution is a good one. Thailand already lets Burmese, Lao and Cambodians work under the migrant labour scheme. Both sides benefit.

The sticking point obviously is the 'nationality verification process' which all workers under this scheme must submit to. Up until 2009 basically anyone could represent themselves as one of these nationalities and be allowed to work in Thailand under relaxed laws. This has now changed where before you can get a work permit, you must prove you are a national of a neigbouring country.

Given that Myanmar refuses to recognise the Rohingya as citizens, despite being there for generations, they are kind of screwed unless a waiver is granted. Myanmar says they are illegals from Bangladesh. Bangladesh refuses to acknolwedge them as citizens. Rock. Hardplace.

Our maid, who we sponsor, is from Karen state and like most, was escaping the unrest there, but also without doubt, looking for work given there was none where she was from. Some of the stories she's told us of people simply vanishing are scary. The key difference with her and these Rohungya's though is Myanmar chooses to recognise her claim to citizenship, even though it seems to happy wreak havoc in Karen State as well.

This is truely one of those incredibly difficult situations where these people have no-where else to go. Thailand, while it has a long history of being the first port of call for refugees, whether they be Chinese nationalists, Cambodians or Vietnamese, certainly copes with more than it can handle, a bending of the rules for the Rohingya is a common sense solution.

Unfortunatey, given ASEAN sensibilities, the Burmese government would go apesh!t if Thailand did anything to recognise them. So back to square one for these poor sods.

Edited August 23, 2013 by samran

[greg71]

What a stupid idea ,then why not let all westerners out to work here as well.Send them back to where they come from or pass them on to Malaysia as that is a muslim country .No passport no visa = no entry ,Maybe the Thai navy has the right idea push them back out to sea .Views are harsh yes but to be honest they are well warranted.

[samran]

What a stupid idea ,then why not let all westerners out to work here as well.Send them back to where they come from or pass them on to Malaysia as that is a muslim country .No passport no visa = no entry ,Maybe the Thai navy has the right idea push them back out to sea .Views are harsh yes but to be honest they are well warranted.

Why, cause they are Muslim?

So given that I'm Catholic, should I be able to go and live in say, Italy or Ireland?

Dumb to simplify this the way you have. For this particular group, it is an invidious problem.

Can't get a visa, cause no one will give them a passport to put said visa in. You can't send them back, as the country where they were born and lived for generations doesn't want them. Some call this ethnic cleansing.

Edited August 23, 2013 by samran

[davidstipek]

Those in Parliament and Elsewhere who can, Make the Change! ASAP

Let them in under the Condition of Military Service. Prove they want to live/stay here. The Men and Women must service 3 years Duty. In return they are given Housing, families are United and given Quality Housing, Schooling and Respect. They are treated as Thai Nationals and if the Respect, Loyalty is shown in return they are given Legal Refugy Status to stay. If they Serve 3 more Years Military Service with Unblemished Records... Reward those and their Families with Thai Citizenship.

Simple.... Jai to Jai!!!

What better way to get those who Honestly want to come here and be part of the System then to Open this Doorway. There are going to be those who refuse... They will want and do nothing in return... Refuse entry!

If you want me (THAILAND), then you must give...

"Brother if you want Thailand as your Mother"

Do show me deep down you are Honest about this request, I will return to you... Ten-Fold!

If you give, I will reward...

If you Go Beyond I (THAILAND) will Welcome you with Open Arms... If you are willing to die for Me, your Home... (THAILAND) then this is the Highest Honor both sides can give to each other...

3 times I called: THAILAND... 3 times I answered: SATU...

Edited August 23, 2013 by davidstipek

[Scott]

Nasty posts and replies have been deleted.

[simple1]

What a stupid idea ,then why not let all westerners out to work here as well.Send them back to where they come from or pass them on to Malaysia as that is a muslim country .No passport no visa = no entry ,Maybe the Thai navy has the right idea push them back out to sea .Views are harsh yes but to be honest they are well warranted.

As you know they don't have passports as the Rohingya are stateless. So why is it "well warranted" for the Royal Thai Navy to push the Rohingya back out to sea when it is highly likely they will die?

[AryanicAristocrat]

Simple, those of them willing to forgo their Islamic religion which preaches hatred for non-muslims and acts of terrorism, should do so and embrace Buddhism publicly or any other religion and only then let them be allowed to stay in Thailand but under observation that they do not support the ever embrace back their old religion of terror.

[simple1]

Simple, those of them willing to forgo their Islamic religion which preaches hatred for non-muslims and acts of terrorism, should do so and embrace Buddhism publicly or any other religion and only then let them be allowed to stay in Thailand but under observation that they do not support the ever embrace back their old religion of terror.

What you are preaching is Buddhist fascism. I suggest you read the Thai Constitution that guarantees Muslims the right to practice their faith and is fully supported by the Thai Royal Family. For a clear understanding of the Thai Constitutional gurantees and the Royal Family involvement with the Muslim community go to:

http://www.thaiembassy.org/riyadh/en/organize/29025-Muslim-in-Thailand.html