Thailand to deport 1.3m
BANGKOK - MORE than 1.3 million mostly Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are scrambling to file papers by end of this month to register for an exercise to verify their nationality, failing which they may face deportation.
The 'nationality verification' exercise theoretically will help the workers get additional social security benefits in Thailand. The workers need to register by Sunday to begin the process, which could take up to two years to complete.
One problem for many though is that the Myanmar authorities have been dragging their feet over the process, and even extracting money in some instances, leaving many in limbo just days before the Feb 28 deadline. Many Myanmar workers are fearful of giving their personal information to the authorities back home.
The Thai authorities have refused to extend the deadline despite increasing calls from international rights organisations to do so.
Thai officials say they are fully aware of the issues of human rights. And given the logistics of deporting more than a million people - and the disruption to the Thai economy - it is likely that the deportation may be deferred.
In a written response on Monday to a letter from the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other organisations, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'We are certainly well aware that the question of deportation needs to take into account both the enforcement of immigration law and respect for human rights.
http://ping.fm/b3KcZ
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment