Thailand warned to prepare for refugees to stay for the long-term
Posted on October 2, 2009
Filed Under Burma news, Karen news | 1 Comment
Karen refugees in Thailand
Renewed conflict in Burma’s ethnic homelands could force an influx of thousands of new refugees into Thailand warns a new report from Refugees International.
The report, “Thailand: New Problems Challenge Old Solutions’ warns of a new wave of conflict, exemplified by the joint Burma Army/Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) offensive against the Karen National Union (KNU) in July and the junta’s offensive last month against the Kokang. “A new wave of conflict in Burma is changing the political landscape and forcing thousands of new refugees to flee into Thailand,” it warns.
Mostly Karen refufees from Burma have lived in Thailand for over 20 years. And the report praises the Thai government for its willingness to host new arrivals, but warns the ongoing conflict will prevent refugees from going home anytime soon.
Furthermore, with third-country resettlement programs due to conclude in 2010, Thailand and its resettlement partners need to consider whether to open the resettlement process to refugees who were not registered officially prior to 2005.
Refugees International sees the ongoing conflict in Karen State as marking a possible power shift in the state. They warn that many current Karen refugees are either supporters of the KNU or live in areas controlled by its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). If the KNU is defeated militarily, a permanent class of political refugees could be created, who can never return to Burma.
Add to that, tens of thousands of refugees who choose not to resettle to third countries who will be living in Thailand for the long term. To better meet the needs of these long term refugees, Refugees International says, “ Thailand should consider steps towards greater self-sustainability and freedom of movement for some substantial percentage of its refugee population.”
They are also calling on Thailand’s international partners to work with the Thai government to allow greater self-sustainability for refugees.
Related posts:
- Thailand out to gag Karen refugees After international pressure forced Thai authorities to scale back their...
- Refugees in Thailand under pressure Some 3,000 Karen refugees a few hours from Mae Sot...
- Newly arrived refugees in Thailand still facing uncertain future Three months after a joint Burma Army-DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist...
- DKBA targets Karen refugees in Thailand Two Karen refugees in Thailand are dead, apparently killed in...
- Thailand warned of dire consequences from Salween dam project A group of 189 Thai civil organisations are calling on...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Comments
One Response to “Thailand warned to prepare for refugees to stay for the long-term”
-
Mae Sot weather
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Beth Misenhimer. Beth Misenhimer said: Thailand warned to prepare for refugees to stay for the long-term … http://bit.ly/sLZUz [...]