Thailand: Rights groups protest deportation of Burmese migrants

Over 2 million migrants have been threatened by the Royal Thai Government (RTG) with deportation after 28th Feb. 2010 if they fail to enter a nationality verification process (NV). Over 80% of these migrants are from Burma and face ethnic and political conflict as well as continuing economic deterioration in their homeland, which is controlled by a military government. Migrants from Burma left their country illegally but are still being pressured by the RTG to submit their biographical information to Burma’s military government, return to Burma to complete NV and then return to work “legally” in Thailand with temporary Burmese passports.

“Thailand’s migration policies must be carefully planned to ensure protection of migrants’ human rights. The NV process has not been well thought out and remains a serious threat to the human security of over 2 million workers that contribute greatly to our economy and society” said Somchai Homlaor, Secretary General of the Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF).

·    Most migrants in Thailand do not yet understand NV

·    Many migrants in Thailand have not yet entered NV

·    Genuine humanitarian concerns remain for migrants forced to go through NV in Burma

·    Unregulated NV brokers are exploiting migrants

·    Many migrants from Burma cannot and will not enter NV but no strategy to support them exists

 “The Government must extend the 28th Feb. 2010 deadline and immediately cease threats of mass deportation. Threatening migrants to comply with this imminent deadline or face deportation disregards the challenging situation faced by migrants from Burma” said Sawit Keawan, General Secretary of the State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation (SERC). “In addition, if mass deportations are carried out it will serve only to harm Thailand’s economy which remains heavily reliant on migrant labour, as well as Thailand’s international reputation.”

At 9:00am (BKK Time) outside the United Nation’s (UN) offices in Bangkok, complaint letters were submitted to representatives of the UN’s Special Rapporteurs on the Human Rights of Migrants and on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, as well as the Director General of the International Labour Organisation.

Migrant workers, trade unionists and rights defenders are now marching to Government House to submit an open letter of concern to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, signed by over 60 domestic, regional and international rights groups and trade unions. The open letter demands an end to threats of mass deportation for migrants and sweeping changes to the government’s NV policy.

Source: MyNews.in

Author: Ch. Narendra

Publication date: 16.02.2010