Karen refugees face mid-February deadline
Posted on February 2, 2010
Filed Under Burma news, Karen news | Leave a Comment
Some 3,000 plus Karen refugees currently in temporary shelters a few hours north of Mae Sot reportedly have until February 15 to return across the border to Burma.
According to The Irrawaddy, Thai authorities have told the refugees that repatriation will begin on February 5 and that all must have returned by the 15th.
The refugees arrived in June after the Karen National Liberation Army’s 7th Brigade headquarters fell to pro-government forces (see: Villagers flee offensive as Thailand prepares for influx of refugees). They have been housed in temporary shelters while the Thai government and various NGOs debated about what to do with them.
Weary of triggering a flood of new refugees, Thailand has hinted several times in the past that it wanted them to return. The refugees themselves have expressed a desire to return home, but they are concerned for their safety.
Last week, a meeting was held between the Thai military and representatives from the UNHCR and the Thai Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) as well as the Karen National Union and the pro-junta Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). At the meeting, the DKBA reportedly gave assurances villagers would not be used as forced labour and offered to clear its own landmines.
But Karen groups say the area is not safe and that refugees are not willing to return voluntarily.
Related posts:
- DKBA targets Karen refugees in Thailand Two Karen refugees in Thailand are dead, apparently killed in...
- Refugees in Thailand under pressure Some 3,000 Karen refugees a few hours from Mae Sot...
- Thailand out to gag Karen refugees After international pressure forced Thai authorities to scale back their...
- KNU asks Thailand to ensure refugees safety The Karen National Union (KNU) is calling on the Thailand...
- Newly arrived refugees in Thailand still facing uncertain future Three months after a joint Burma Army-DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Comments
Leave a Reply
-
Mae Sot weather
