BRAT held press conference on “The Rohingya – unwanted and alone in Thailand”

RB News

August 26, 2013

Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand based Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) held a press conference at Student Christian Centre in Bangkok on August 24, 2013.

At the press conference, BRAT’s president U Maung Kyaw Nu said that Rohingyas are not economic migrants but compelled by oppressive regime to flee their home and hearth for the fear of persecution which categorically considered under UN Convention of Refugee so that they should be dealt accordingly with humanity. Present treatment of Rohingya by Thailand is not a solution for now and then. It is clear violation of universal human rights while Rohingya are direly in need of protection and provision then a viable solution.

He stressed that Thai government to treat Rohingya as escapee from persecution in their homeland Arakan, Myanmar so that eligible to seek refugee status for protection and to let them access to UN/Regional/International agency timely manner so taken care of their basic needs and rights in line with international standards.

The speakers at the press conference endorsed that the Rohingya refugees in Thailand to get migrant worker status and to get the chance to reunite with their families.

Surapong Kongchantuk from Human Rights Committee of Lawyers Council of Thailand said “Thailand would no longer be accused of human rights violations if the Government treated them with more compassion.”

Khun Surapong said that Thai government is prepared to talk face-to-face with the Myanmar government about large economic projects but not to talk face-to-face about Myanmar resolving Rohingya issue.

And Human Rights Watch advisor Sunai Phasuk said it was shameful that Burma was about to assume the chair of ASEAN in 2014, yet ASEAN had done nothing to solve the Rohingya issue. 

Dr. Niran Pitakwatchara from National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand said Rohingyas faced poor temporary shelter, exploitation by trafficking gangs, and extortion from smuggling gangs during their stay in Thailand. 

“Though Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, relevant ministries could actually expedite their authority in providing decent and appropriate shelters for these people, based on human rights principles in the Thai Constitution” Dr. Niran continued.

The press conference and round-table discussion on August 24th was organized and sponsored by Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand. The panel speakers are:

- Dr. Niran Pitakwatchara, National Human Right Commissioner of Thailand, 

- Mr. Surapong Kongchantuk, Human Rights Committee of Lawyers Council of Thailand,

- Mr. Sunai Phasuk, Advisor of Human Rights Watch (HRW)

- Ms. Saowanee Khomepatr, Director, Bureau of Anti-Trafficking in Woman and Children, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, 

- Mr. Sarawoot Sriwannayos, Former President of Young Thai Muslim Organization and 

- U Maung Kyaw Nu, President of Burmese Rohinya Association in Thailand.

The Moderator was Ms. Thananuch Sanguansak, Editor of Feature News, Nation Channel.