On September 30th, 2022, a group of students sheltering on the Thai side of the Thai-Burma border were forced to return to Burma territory, crossing the flooded Moei river. One of the boats that was transporting the students back to Burma hit another boat and nearly sank.
Groups of displaced civilians sheltering in Thai territory have been pressured to return to Burma, where they find themselves at risk of life. Some villagers have been forced to return multiple times already as they repeatedly cross into Thailand when facing imminent danger from fighting, shelling, or airstrikes. The Thai soldiers ask displaced civilians to return to Burma when there is no active fighting or shelling happening on the other side.
Civilians, including underage students and elderly and sick people, are facing a shortage of essential items due to the heavy rain and flooding occurring in the area. Some civilians who were pushed back by Thai authorities do not dare to return to their village, and hence they are staying on the riverbank.
Many villagers noted that it is not their intention to stay on the Thai side long-term, and only seek to take refuge and safety when they face immediate danger to their lives in their villages.
This is not the first evidence that comes to light regarding this issue. The Thai government has placed heavy constraints on formal border crossings into Thailand and has pushed back many seeking protection, while refusing the help of international governments and agencies to address the needs of displaced persons along the border, insisting that it is handling the situation itself.
Thailand should respect international human rights and humanitarian obligations, including non-refoulement and other protection measures, and adopt and ratify other international conventions and treaties to show their commitment to these standards and norms, including the Refugee Convention.
Significantly, on August 24th, Thailand passed a new Anti-Torture Bill, which enshrines (in Section 13) the principle of non-refoulement. Thailand ratified the Convention Against Torture in 2007, however failed to draft legislation that fully protected the notion of non-refoulement, until now. The principle of non-refoulement must be upheld. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Groups of displaced civilians sheltering in Thai territory have been pressured to return to Burma, where they find themselves at risk of life. Some villagers have been forced to return multiple times already as they repeatedly cross into Thailand when facing imminent danger from fighting, shelling, or airstrikes. The Thai soldiers ask displaced civilians to return to Burma when there is no active fighting or shelling happening on the other side.
Civilians, including underage students and elderly and sick people, are facing a shortage of essential items due to the heavy rain and flooding occurring in the area. Some civilians who were pushed back by Thai authorities do not dare to return to their village, and hence they are staying on the riverbank.
Many villagers noted that it is not their intention to stay on the Thai side long-term, and only seek to take refuge and safety when they face immediate danger to their lives in their villages.
This is not the first evidence that comes to light regarding this issue. The Thai government has placed heavy constraints on formal border crossings into Thailand and has pushed back many seeking protection, while refusing the help of international governments and agencies to address the needs of displaced persons along the border, insisting that it is handling the situation itself.
Thailand should respect international human rights and humanitarian obligations, including non-refoulement and other protection measures, and adopt and ratify other international conventions and treaties to show their commitment to these standards and norms, including the Refugee Convention.
Significantly, on August 24th, Thailand passed a new Anti-Torture Bill, which enshrines (in Section 13) the principle of non-refoulement. Thailand ratified the Convention Against Torture in 2007, however failed to draft legislation that fully protected the notion of non-refoulement, until now. The principle of non-refoulement must be upheld. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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