UN expert warns of mass deportations of Burmese

Jorge A. Bustamante, a UN expert on the human rights of migrants has expressed concern about the millions of migrants in Thailand who face deportation if they have not registered biographical data by the end of the month to governments in their nations of origin.

The independent expert urged Thailand to abide by the notion of ‘refoulment’ where by deporting many put them at risk and would thereby be knowingly putting them in danger.

Thailand’s nationality verification process seeks to register the millions of migrant workers and refugees from neighbouring countries but requires that foreign nationals have proof of their nation of origin.

The lack of bureaucracy in Burma and fear of authorities has prevented many migrants from Burma registering, thus making them unable to apply for the Nationality Verification process in Thailand.

"I reiterate my earlier messages to the Government to reconsider its actions and decisions, and to abide by international instruments,"…"If pursued, the threats of mass expulsion will result in unprecedented human suffering and will definitely breach fundamental human rights obligations." Mr. Bustamante told the UN web site.

A labour activist in Mae Sot recently told DVB that; "there are rumours that local authorities will threaten and extort money from the families of migrant workers".

Furthermore many migrant workers come from ethnic areas that are not in SPDC control. These workers will then be deported as they will have no way of proving their country of origin. While archaic bureaucracy means that many longer term migrants will no longer be on local authority ‘family lists’ that every ‘village peace and development council’ keeps of families.

Workers in Mae Sot have detailed to DVB how deportations occur whereby migrant workers are handed by the Thai authorities to non government armies such as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). If the deportees are unable to pay a fee dependent upon where they were detained by the Thais they are put into forced labour by the group which has been regularly criticised for human rights abuses and severely lacking accountability.

Mr Busamente was further quoted on the web site saying that; ""I am disappointed that that the Government of Thailand has not responded to my letters expressing calls for restraint,".

The UN web site also noted that Mr Busmanete is not paid by the UN and is an independent expert.

Reference:

This is from DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma).

My opinion:

I'm sorry for those illegal Burmese immigrants to Thailand. They were indeed facing the Burmese junta's persecution and threatening and now are facing Thailand's registration system.