Myanmar migrants' arrest in Thailand sparks concerns

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar migrants' arrest sparks concerns

BANGKOK:-- Migrant organisations are pressing the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok to protect the rights of young Myanmar workers arrested recently for the murder of a Thai girl.

Min Oo, a representative of the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), said that there are questions on the Thai police’s work process.

"The deceased fought back her attackers before being killed. The police found clues under her finger nails. They said the clues point to the two suspects and that their DNA matches the evidence. It is questionable that they completed the DNA tests in two days. Did they follow the rules and regulations of conducting DNA tests? Are Myanmar workers being exploited," said Min Oo.

The organisation is now collecting details about the case and sending them to the embassy.

Two migrant workers - Moe Zin Aung and Kyaw Ye Oo - were arrested on October 20 in connection with the murder in Ranong. The victim was stabbed to death on September 28. Three more Myanmar workers were put in police custody.

Sein Htay, chairman of the Myanmar Migrant Worker Rights Network, raised concerns on the rights of the suspects.

"The suspects are underage youths. The police have not let them see their parents since they were arrested. This is a violation of their human rights. The Myanmar government needs to talk to the Thai government about it. They have to put pressure on the Thai government to act in line with law, to allow the suspects to meet their parents, to let their lawyers see them and to use proficient interpreters in the interrogations and in court," said Sein Htay, chairman of the Myanmar Migrant Worker Rights Network.

Earlier, two Myanmar workers were put on trial for the alleged killing of two British backpackers in Koh Tao. Their lawyers pointed several loopholes in the case. The verdict will be heard on December 24.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Myanmar-migrants-arrest-sparks-concerns-30271697.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-27

[Hawk]

This is a violation of their human rights.

Thailand has suspended human rights.

[Reigntax]

Well they cant traffic them, they dont seem to be able to frame them for murder and they cant use them as slaves on fishing boat anymore so what use are they under this government.

Edited October 27, 2015 by Reigntax

[noitom]

Human rights conflicts with the Thailand's policies and limitations of individual freedoms.

[jgriff]

DNA in 2 days? WOW!!! Thailand's DNA labs should be instructing the world.

[Nicolas32]

I will feel sorry for Thailand when all these neighbouring countries start to change like Myanmar is doing now ... who will do all this condo construction and so on within a year or so .. Most likely they haven't thought it through yet and i do believe in karma and what goes around comes around..

[ClutchClark]

This is a violation of their human rights.

Thailand has suspended human rights.

And here I was thinking about how the brutally murdered girls human rights had been violated.

I guess thats the difference between me and liberals.

[phuketandsee]

Kho Tao 2.0?