Fwd: Amnesty International urgent a

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>To: $myanmar_contacts@xxxxxxxxxxx
>Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 16:01:05 +0000
>Subject: Amnesty International urgent action appeal 10 November 1999
>
>
>
>
>PUBLIC    AI Index: ASA 39/04/99
>
>UA 295/99        Ill-treatment and possible forcible return of
>                    asylum-seekers 10 November 1999
>
>KINGDOM OF THAILAND Thousands of migrant workers from Myanmar
>
>
>Amnesty International fears for the safety of thousands of Burmese migrant
>workers who, since the beginning of November 1999, are being deported by the
>Thai government.
>
>Many with well-founded fears of persecution in Myanmar are at risk of being
>returned with no opportunity to claim asylum. They fled Myanmar to escape a
>military regime which has imposed forced labour, portering and other human
>rights violations. Thousands of these workers are from ethnic minorities,
>including some 100,000 Shan, who are particularly vulnerable because the Thai
>Government will not permit them to establish refugee camps (see background
>information).
>
>Amnesty International is further concerned at reports that those deported are
>being refused entry or being arrested for illegal entry, by the Myanmar
>authorities, forcing them to return to Thailand where they face re-arrest.
This
>has resulted in many being stranded on islands in the Moei River (which
>separates Thailand from Myanmar), near Mae Sot, Tak Province, and in the
>surrounding jungle on Thai territory where they have no food, water or shelter
>and are at risk of dysentery and malaria.
>
>A number of people are reported to have drowned trying to get back to Thailand
>by swimming across the Moei River. Between 6 and 7 November, three young 
>Burmese
>women and Wai Wai, a 23-year-old man from the Karen ethnic minority, were
>reported to have drowned in this way.
>
>In addition, eyewitnesses have talked of severe overcrowding at Immigration
>Detention Centres (IDCs) in Thailand, including the main centre at Suan Phlu,
>Bangkok, where arrested migrant workers are being held before being
transported
>to the border. For the past eight years Amnesty International has documented
>poor conditions at IDCs in Thailand, including severe overcrowding, lack of
>proper food, medical care, or sanitation.
>
>BACKGROUND INFORMATION
>
>There are more than 100,000 Burmese refugees living in Thai camps near the
>border with Myanmar. Thailand however, which is not party to the 1951 Refugee
>Convention or its 1967 Protocol, does not provide recognition for refugees and
>considers asylum-seekers not in camps to be ?illegal immigrants?, routinely
>arresting and detaining them in IDCs. Detained asylum-seekers are not given an
>opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention, as required by
>international standards.
>
>The Myanmar military authorities closed the border with Thailand following a
>25-hour siege of the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok by five Myanmar nationals on 1
>October. The siege ended with no casualties but the five men responsible
remain
>at large in the Myanmar border area.
>
>
>RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in
>English or your own language:
>- urging the Royal Thai Government not to deport thousands of Burmese migrant
>workers before they have had the opportunity to seek asylum and their safety 
>can >be guaranteed;
>- expressing concern for their safety if they are deported;
>- expressing concern at the severe overcrowding and poor conditions of 
>detention and transport for migrant workers who are waiting to be deported
and urging 
>them to ensure they conform to international standards of detention.
>
>APPEALS TO (fax tones for the Minister of Interior and the Immigration Bureau
>can be difficult to get. The best time to try is during office hours local
time
>+7 GMT):
>
>Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
>Office of the Prime Minister
>Government House
>Nakhorn Pathom Road
>Bangkok 10300, Thailand
>Telegrams:     Prime Minister, Bangkok, Thailand
>Faxes:    + 66 2 280 1443
>Salutation:    Dear Prime Minister
>
>Sanan Kachornprasart
>Minister of Interior
>Ministry of Interior
>Thanon Atsadang
>Bangkok 10200, Thailand
>Telegrams:     Interior Minister, Bangkok, Thailand
>Faxes:    + 66 2 223 8851
>Salutation:    Dear Minister
>
>Police Lieutenant General Chidchai Vanasatidya, Ph.D
>Commissioner of Immigration Bureau
>Immigration Bureau
>507 Suanplu, Sathorn Road
>Bangkok 10120, Thailand
>Faxes:    + 66 2 287 3114
>Salutation:    Dear General
>
>COPIES TO:
>
>The Editor, The Nation, 44 Moo 10
>Bangna-Trat Road, K.M. 4.5
>Bangna, Phra Khanong
>Bangkok 10260, Thailand
>Faxes:    + 66 2 317 2071
>
>The Editor, Bangkok Post
>136 Na Ranong Road
>Off Sunthorn Kosa Road
>Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
>Faxes:    + 66 2 240 3666
>
>and to diplomatic representatives of KINGDOM OF THAILAND accredited to your
>country.
>
>PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or
>your section office, if sending appeals after 22 December 1999.
>

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