Human Rights Watch alleged Thailand with detaining asylum seekers

[webfact]

Human Rights Watch alleged Thailand with detaining asylum seekers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Human Rights Watch Wednesday alleged that Thai authorities have wrongfully arrested 64 asylum seekers, including seven children, from Pakistan and Somalia.

In its press statement Human Rights Watch said the 64 asylum seekers possess "person of concern" documents issued by the United Nations refugee agency so they must be immediately released from an immigration detention.

The agency said Thai officials and police raided an apartment complex in the Pracha Uthit area of Bangkok on Thursday, and arrested scores of Pakistani and Somali asylum seekers. Sixty-four were quickly tried for overstaying their visas, fined, and sent to the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok, Human Rights Watch said.

Among those detained are 7 children, the youngest age 14. Detention of migrant children is particularly damaging to their health and well-being, it said.

"People who are seeking refugee protection should not be detained," said Bill Frelick, refugee program director at Human Rights Watch, said in the press statement.

"Once Thai authorities became aware the people apprehended were asylum seekers, they should have found alternatives to detention for them and their children."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Human-Rights-Watch-alleged-Thailand-with-detaining-30268908.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-16

[tomross46]

The Pakistani and Somali asylum seekers, could be Islamic Militants, and be here to cause problems here. These people overstayed their visa and , under the law, arrested, detained and deported. We have seen where these Illegal Aliens have caused problems, which the bombing could be one. HRW is another NGO that does not take into consideration the Laws of the country they are in, only there Left Wing, Liberal, Socialist ideals.

[simple1]

The Pakistani and Somali asylum seekers, could be Islamic Militants, and be here to cause problems here. These people overstayed their visa and , under the law, arrested, detained and deported. We have seen where these Illegal Aliens have caused problems, which the bombing could be one. HRW is another NGO that does not take into consideration the Laws of the country they are in, only there Left Wing, Liberal, Socialist ideals.

Thailand is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as such should not be putting children into detention. The asylum seekers have been issued with 'persons of concern' documentation, again Thailand should not be placing people with this recognition into detention for deportation; these are the matters HRW are highlighting.

Previously Pakistani asylum seekers arrested and deported from Thailand have been members of the Ahmadiyya sect who view themselves as leading the revival and peaceful propagation of Islam. Ahmadis suffer active suppression in some Muslim majority countries, including Pakistan.

[jonclark]

The Pakistani and Somali asylum seekers, could be Islamic Militants, and be here to cause problems here. These people overstayed their visa and , under the law, arrested, detained and deported. We have seen where these Illegal Aliens have caused problems, which the bombing could be one. HRW is another NGO that does not take into consideration the Laws of the country they are in, only there Left Wing, Liberal, Socialist ideals.

Racial profiling at its best - stereotypical, groundless and incorrect- Islamic Militants, supported by nothing more than the baseless assumption that being from Pakistan and Somali makes them Islamic militants.

[casindonet]

Since germany is so kind in taking in refugees or migrant.....thailand should send them there

[webfact]

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Thailand alleged with detaining asylum seekers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Human Rights Watch Wednesday alleged that Thai authorities have wrongfully arrested 64 asylum seekers, including seven children, from Pakistan and Somalia.

In its press statement Human Rights Watch said the 64 asylum seekers possess "person of concern" documents issued by the United Nations refugee agency so they must be immediately released from an immigration detention.

The agency said Thai officials and police raided an apartment complex in the Pracha Uthit area of Bangkok on Thursday, and arrested scores of Pakistani and Somali asylum seekers. Sixty-four were quickly tried for overstaying their visas, fined, and sent to the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok, Human Rights Watch said.

Among those detained are 7 children, the youngest age 14. Detention of migrant children is particularly damaging to their health and well-being, it said.

"People who are seeking refugee protection should not be detained," said Bill Frelick, refugee program director at Human Rights Watch, said in the press statement.

"Once Thai authorities became aware the people apprehended were asylum seekers, they should have found alternatives to detention for them and their children."

Those detained in the September 10 raid have fled from countries with poor human rights records, Human Rights Watch said in the statement.

In Pakistan, members of religious minorities may face discrimination, criminal charges of blasphemy, and other forms of persecution, including violent attacks.

In Somalia, ongoing fighting in the south and central parts of the country has caused considerable harm to civilians, which may make Somali asylum seekers eligible for international protection under UNHCR's Refugee Convention mandate or under its broader mandate to assist in providing protection in situations of forced displacement resulting from indiscriminate violence or public disorder.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thailand-alleged-with-detaining-asylum-seekers-30268908.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-16

[chrisinth]

I would be grateful if someone can explain this to me.

If a person enters a country other than their own, seeking asylum in possession of 'person of concern' documents or not, should they not make themselves known to immigration on their point of entry?

The way the OP reads to me is that Thai authorities had no knowledge of their status prior to the raid, they found people with overstays to their visas and sent them to the IDC iaw their normal procedures.

If the above is correct, who is in the wrong?

[overherebc]

They who arrive in another country and demand that they must be taken care of are wrong.

Unfortunately there appears to be a surplus, meaning more than none, of bleeding hearts who don't think about the destruction of their own country and culture. They only do it to make themselves look good and feel superior.

[simple1]

I would be grateful if someone can explain this to me.

If a person enters a country other than their own, seeking asylum in possession of 'person of concern' documents or not, should they not make themselves known to immigration on their point of entry?

The way the OP reads to me is that Thai authorities had no knowledge of their status prior to the raid, they found people with overstays to their visas and sent them to the IDC iaw their normal procedures.

If the above is correct, who is in the wrong?

As is often the case we don't appear to have all the facts. However, the OP does mention that those arrested entered Thailand with some form of visa. Purely as an assumption UNHCR had been negotiating with Thai authorities whilst they were seeking resettlement in a third party country, but were arrested for visa overstay for deportation as Thailand is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention.

Although Thailand has a history of not complying to the principal, all countries should support non-refoulement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-refoulement

[Hawk]

I always thought one claimed asylum at point of entry, and straight away.

Hiding in the country is not really claiming asylum. But when arrested for overstaying it suddenly becomes a great excuse to avoid jail. Most if not all will lack sufficient funds for the airfare to return to their country of origin, meaning indefinite detention in IDC. So they play the refugee game.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Hawk

[Jonmarleesco]

Perhaps HRW could explain just what steps these 'refugees' had taken in seeking asylum, given they were living in an apartment, and with visas that were no longer valid, seemingly not looking for any kind of publicity.

[yougivemebaby]

I always thought one claimed asylum at point of entry, and straight away.

Hiding in the country is not really claiming asylum. But when arrested for overstaying it suddenly becomes a great excuse to avoid jail. Most if not all will lack sufficient funds for the airfare to return to their country of origin, meaning indefinite detention in IDC. So they play the refugee game.

[phoenixdoglover]

My attitude is a little different.

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

[AnnieT]

I would be grateful if someone can explain this to me.

If a person enters a country other than their own, seeking asylum in possession of 'person of concern' documents or not, should they not make themselves known to immigration on their point of entry?

The way the OP reads to me is that Thai authorities had no knowledge of their status prior to the raid, they found people with overstays to their visas and sent them to the IDC iaw their normal procedures.

If the above is correct, who is in the wrong?

Hypothetically, if the people seeking asylum do contact immigration or another agency and the official is corrupt and exploits thenm instead of handling them according to regulations, how is the asylum-seeker to know?

Regrettably, Thailand is notorious for this kind of corruption and the money goes upwards to keep the wheels oiled and turning.. There is absolutely no incentive for it to stop. Yet. And yes, you're right, Thailand is a signatory bit is a signatory for appearances' sake and breaches it's obligations with impunity. It doesn't kane western conventions seriously because...

But the world has noticed, and retribution is coming. The wheels grind slow but they grind fine.

Edited September 16, 2015 by AnnieT

[farangmick]

Let's be honest. Non Islamic countries throughout the world probably deeply regret the numbers of Muslims they have taken in. The majority only move for economic reasons, and will never have any affinity with the countries that provide them with jobs and benefits. 300,000 in Greece, before the latest exodus moaning about no mosque in Athens. Answer. Work, buy the land, pay for your own mosque. But no, they think the impoverished state should provide.

[EnglishJohn]

Human Rights Watch have lost all credibility in Thailand.

If they have any interest at all in human rights instead of using it in a most shameful manner for their political agenda, they will have a very public reorganization and get rid of their activists. Then make a clear statement that they will not allow politics to influence what they do.

As it stands, these fraudsters are occupying the position of decent people who could be making a difference.

[simple1]

Human Rights Watch have lost all credibility in Thailand.

If they have any interest at all in human rights instead of using it in a most shameful manner for their political agenda, they will have a very public reorganization and get rid of their activists. Then make a clear statement that they will not allow politics to influence what they do.

As it stands, these fraudsters are occupying the position of decent people who could be making a difference.

What are the components of HRW's 'political agenda' that you find so objectionable?

Edited September 17, 2015 by simple1