Thailand: Update to THA43309.FE of 13 January 2005 on the impact of the tsunami on the human rights situation, particularly on the situation of Burmese migrant workers (14-20 January 2005)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 20 January 2005 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | THA43331.FE |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Thailand: Update to THA43309.FE of 13 January 2005 on the impact of the tsunami on the human rights situation, particularly on the situation of Burmese migrant workers (14-20 January 2005), 20 January 2005, THA43331.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df61992.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No reports of changes in the situation of Burmese migrant workers, as described in THA43309.FE of 13 January 2005, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Sources indicate that Burmese migrant workers who survived the tsunami are not receiving assistance from the Thai authorities (AsiaNews 16 Jan. 2005; AFP 19 Jan. 2005). In addition, some Burmese workers continue to hide out of fear of being arrested by the police and deported to Burma (Myanmar) (ibid.; Asia News 16 Jan. 2005; Courier Mail 15 Jan. 2005), where they would face military conscription, ethnic insurrections and forced labour (Independent 17 Jan. 2005). According to a report from the Australian newspaper Courier Mail, Burmese workers who survived the tsunami are subjected to "harassment," "intimidation" and "persecut[ion]" (15 Jan. 2005).
However, according to a 17 January 2005 report from the Independent, a British newspaper, Thai immigrant officers said that detained migrant workers would be released if their employers could prove their legal status. The same report indicates that about 2,000 Burmese workers have already been forcibly deported (Independent 17 Jan. 2005).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 19 January 2005. Nicolas Revise. "Myanmar Workers in Thailand Are the Forgotten Tsunami Victims." (Dialog)
AsiaNews. 16 January 2005. Danielle Vella. "No Aid To Burmese Tsunami Victims."
Courier Mail [Brisbane]. 15 January 2005. Ian McPhedran. "Dead Don't Exist and Survivors Can't." (Dialog)
Independent [London]. 17 January 2005. Jan McGirk. "Tsunami Disaster: Fear of Thai Officials Puts Burmese Into Hiding." (Dialog)
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites including: Amnesty International (AI), BBC News, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Reliefweb, UNICEF, UN News Service, World Food Programme (WFP).
