[news] Thai government silencing refugee voices

[Resist!ca]

The Thai government is sticking by a March 31 deadline to relocate all urban-based refugees from Burma who have Person of Concern (POC) status from UNHCR. This is despite an obvious lack of resources to house the estimated 2000 refugees, and an inability to ensure their security. While the majority are being relocated to refugee camps on the Thai Burma border, refugees who will be resettled to third countries in April are being forced to go to Bangkok's Special Detention Centre. Children will also be detained there. Refugees who do not comply can face arrests, deportation and lose their chances of resettlement and all protection provided by UNHCR. This policy has drawn widespread anger from refugees and activist and human rights groups.

URL: http://resist.ca/story/2005/3/26/62912/1220