Thailand accused of abusing asylum seekers

[Khundon1975]

http://www.smh.com.au/world/rohingya-ad ... -82b6.html

Hi hhfarang

Yes I saw that article a few hours ago and don't quite Know what to make of it.
Chris Lewa seems to contradict some of the rumours, but enforce others. The whole article is a bit confusing, to say the least.?

Rahmat, the one who gave some interviews to the press also pops up in a video on the ARNO site (link below) wasn't he one of the guys making money from running these poor people from Burma to Thailand??

I think if that man said morning to me, I would look up to confirm it was.

Anyway, many organisations are calling for the truth, as to what has happened, to what seems to be thousands of Rohingyas over the years.

The Thai authorities have been dragging their feet and have not allowed access to the refugees.

The U.N. Amnesty International, U.N.H.C.R. and the E.U. have all as yet been denied access. Even the U.K. parliament have got off their asses and questions have been asked in the house of commons.

The problem for me will be, when they do get access to any of these Rohingyas will they be free to tell the true story or not.

I know I wouldn't, if I knew that the minute all these agencies walked out the door, I was going to get a good kicking from some ISOC squaddie with size 10s, for my pains.

Anyone who wants to know what the living conditions are like in Arakan state and there are 3.5 million of the poor buggers there!! look on the link below.
The KPN site shows conditions there and just a hint of what the Burmese police do to them.

Jeeze I thought Bangladeshis had it bad.

http://www.rohingya.org/index.php

[buksida]

This one from The Nation made me laugh ... "Go away world and you horrible human rights people, it is a Thai issue":

UNHCR warned over Angelina Jolie's criticism on Rohingya
Thai government has warned UN High Commission for Refugees that Rohingya boat people's presence in Thailand is sensitive issue and it and its guests should not mention about the issue, Thai Foreign Ministry's senior official said Wednesday.

The warning came after UNHCR's goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie who visited Burmese camps along Thai border recently, criticised Thai government of ignoring the plight of Rohinyas and suggested that Thai government should take better care of the Burmese ethnics.

[Khundon1975]

This one from The Nation made me laugh ... "Go away world and you horrible human rights people, it is a Thai issue":

UNHCR warned over Angelina Jolie's criticism on Rohingya
Thai government has warned UN High Commission for Refugees that Rohingya boat people's presence in Thailand is sensitive issue and it and its guests should not mention about the issue, Thai Foreign Ministry's senior official said Wednesday.

The warning came after UNHCR's goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie who visited Burmese camps along Thai border recently, criticised Thai government of ignoring the plight of Rohinyas and suggested that Thai government should take better care of the Burmese ethnics.

Hi buksida

The Thai minister said that she (Angelina Jolie) should not have been there with UNHCR but had recieved a pass to go there from the same ministry.

AJ is an Ambassodor for UNHCR? who did they expect to go, her nanny???

Angelina was always going to break their balls over the camps, why are the Thais so dumb, they must have known her record on HR.
What she says will be reported around the World.

Go for it girl.

Left hand Right hand

[cozza]

Has anyone read or know what is being reported by Thai media relating to this incident?

Or does everyone just take the bigger western publications larger releases for gospel while ignoring the smaller article which is confusing at best but seems to deny any Thai wrong doing?

[Khundon1975]

Has anyone read or know what is being reported by Thai media relating to this incident?

Or does everyone just take the bigger western publications larger releases for gospel while ignoring the smaller article which is confusing at best but seems to deny any Thai wrong doing?

Hi cozza

Yes, basically they say it didn't happen.

Wait awhile and the following will appear in the Thai Press.

No one even got wet.

Every thing is Tickety Boo.

We have built homes for all refugees.

Jobs for all Rohingyas, with 16 weeks paid holidays each year.

Free ice cream for all their kids.

Isuzu Pickups free to all Rohingyas.

GOOGLE Rohingyas, then look for the Thai papers it's easy when you try.
Should take you about 10 seconds to read their coverage.

[cozza]

Khundon,

http://www.smh.com.au/world/rohingya-ad ... -82b6.html

Have you read this article?

This would not hold up in court, no consistentency in the reporting. Not saying that this kind of thing does not happen,I am sure it does, but the western medias recent spate of attacks on Thailand after the PAD demonstrations IMO suggest that there is an agenda at play here.

Do you mean 'English' Thai press?

[Khundon1975]

Khundon,

http://www.smh.com.au/world/rohingya-ad ... -82b6.html

Have you read this article?

This would not hold up in court, no consistentency in the reporting. Not saying that this kind of thing does not happen,I am sure it does, but the western medias recent spate of attacks on Thailand after the PAD demonstrations IMO suggest that there is an agenda at play here.

Do you mean 'English' Thai press?

Hi cozza
I mean all The Thai press.
Do you think they will admit to anything in the papers TIT

It's a rehash of other articles, I read an almost identical piece 2 days ago.


Have a look at this site, may help you in your hunt for more news.

http://www.rohingya.org/index.php

[caller]

but the western medias recent spate of attacks on Thailand after the PAD demonstrations IMO suggest that there is an agenda at play here.

No agenda, just reporting the reality, which exposes the fact LOS is a corrupt, messy 3rd world Country.

I can't see any problem with the truth being reported?

Trying to silence that seems more important to the Thai's than making the changes that would earn it respect.

[cozza]

From the SMH,

CLAIMS that more than 20 Rohingya asylum-seekers died during a perilous sea journey to Indonesia after being rounded up by the Thai military were deliberately exaggerated, according to an aid group.

The Arakan Project, which advocates for the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group from Burma, said the misleading account which gained headlines around the world was made by a people-smuggler on the vessel, the only one of 198 Rohingya on board who could be understood because he spoke Malay.

But the group has since interviewed four of the genuine boat people who landed in Indonesia last week after fleeing alleged repression in Burma. They used a translator who spoke the men's obscure Bengali dialect.

While rebutting aspects of the initial account, their testimony still detailed brutal beatings by the Thais and confirmed that the men were set adrift in a flimsy wooden craft by the Thais during January.




How can we really know what happened? We have to take the medias word for it just as the Thais do, I guess.

I read this paper everyday and never saw this article because it was not major news. After the media had this on TV and major international news, they could at least ensure that this is pushed as far into peoples faces. This kind of thing is no mistake and is deliberate.

As long as the truth is being reported there is no problem, but how can we know when critical evidence is pushed aside or kept on the down low?

[STEVE G]

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted Friday that there were "some instances" in which Rohingya migrants had been pushed out into the Andaman Sea, and pledged those who were responsible would be held accountable.
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=8588

[PeteC]

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted Friday that there were "some instances" in which Rohingya migrants had been pushed out into the Andaman Sea, and pledged those who were responsible would be held accountable.
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=8588

I applaud the PM for his candor, a rare breath of fresh air here. I saw his interview today with CNN's Dan Rivers and he did not dance around the issue much at all. At the same time I could imagine many Thai 'old school' politicians and power people grinding their teeth and passing gas that he admitted that Thailand had made a mistake. Oh the shame of losing face, would have been better to lie to the farangs and the world. Those types can't die fast enough. Pete

[Khundon1975]

A rare moment indeed!
Well done to the PM.


Maybe he was thinking about the upcoming meeting in HH and wanted to defuse any criticism Thailand may get from other countries.

I wonder if that is all these refugees will get, or will the Thai authorities now start to treat them more humanly from now on.
Somehow I doubt it.

No mention of any repercussions, for the officials concerned?
I suppose that would be to much to ask for, but he has made a start anyway.

[Spitfire]

Well, strange how the colonel that's implicated in this whole embarrassing business is the same guy that got in trouble for "allegedly" ordering a massacre of muslims in the south.

Old habits die hard, eh?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7888909.stm

[Khundon1975]

Well, strange how the colonel that's implicated in this whole embarrassing business is the same guy that got in trouble for "allegedly" ordering a massacre of muslims in the south.

Old habits die hard, eh?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7888909.stm

Hi spitfire
Isn't he the one Amnesty International is seeking info on?