Myanmar

UN Human Rights Office calls for Southeast Asian countries to protect Burmese refugees

Published

Friday, April 2, 2021 15:10

Photo via Facebook/Karen Information Center - KIC

With Burmese nationals fleeing to Thailand to escape the violence in following the military coup, the United Nations UN Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia is calling on all neighbouring countries to protect the refugees and to not force undocumented migrants to return to Myanmar. The UN says the human rights situation in Myanmar is “rapidly deteriorating.”

At least 510 peaceful protesters have been killed by security forces while 2,600 people have been detained following the February 1 coup, according to the UN.

Night raids, mass arrests and killings have become daily occurrences throughout the country. De facto military authorities have increasingly resorted to heavy weaponry such as rocket-propelled and fragmentation grenades, heavy machine guns, and snipers to kill demonstrators in massive numbers.

In Thailand’s strongest and most direct statement yet following the Myanmar coup, yesterday the foreign ministry said it was “gravely troubled” by the casualties from the military-related violence. The ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat called for an end to the violence and for the release of detained protesters. Thailand has been working with other countries in Southeast Asia to come up with a peaceful solution to the situation in Myanmar, the spokesperson says.

Many media reports say Thailand has forced Burmese refugees back over the border, but Tanee denies those reports, saying many who fled to Thailand returned home.

The UN Human Rights Offices says they received reports that some people seeking safety have been forced to return to their home country. South-East Asia Regional Representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Bangkok says “No one should face the risk of being returned to Myanmar when their lives, safety or fundamental human rights are threatened.”

“In light of binding obligations under international refugee and human rights law, we call on all countries to ensure that all those seeking asylum are able to access the protection to which they are entitled under international law.”

SOURCES: OHCHR | Reuters

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13 Comments

Slugger

Friday, April 2, 2021 at 4:06 pm

Funny how all protestors are ‘peaceful’ isnt it? The majority I’ve seen on live tv are throwing things, like petrol bombs.

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Slugger

Friday, April 2, 2021 at 5:14 pm

‘The UN Human Rights Offices says they received reports’

Oh yeah? Who from?

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Comicus

Friday, April 2, 2021 at 6:43 pm

Any educated person knows that it is not “Burmese” but “Karen” and of course, ‘Burmese’ is not the right word to call Myanmar people.

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Roger Bruce

Friday, April 2, 2021 at 8:52 pm

You again SLUGGER YOU PIECE OF OFFAL
If you are being killed why not try to fight back any way you can..some even have slingshots to fight against M16,s ….you tiny minded idiot brian
You condemn mass murder torture of unarmed people trying to get their democracy back
I only wish they had the weapons these Burmese military scum have
You SLUGGER
should be banned from this forum with comments like that SAME ON YOU Take the side of those Military murdering scum

Good Luck BURMA

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toby andrews

Friday, April 2, 2021 at 8:59 pm

What does anyone expect from protestors who are shot for protesting.
The protesters need snipers and a lot of them.
And as for the UN bleating: stop the killing, well that is easy for UN persons on tax free $2000 a week.
Is that worth their big wages – I do not think so.

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Stardust

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 12:35 pm

The filmed footages and international Observers report shows that the refugess were forced back into areas where are airstrike and fighting continous. Thevwhole world could see these footages in the news excuding in Thailand. And sure there are international observers now in this area because this big mess from the Juntas is now on the radar.

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Adrian L. Sabater

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 2:43 pm

Yes Toby you have hit the UN nail right on its head. All TALK but never any worthwhile action!

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Craig

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 3:33 pm

It’s sad what’s taking place there but this area is so much different than the West. I can accept coming here to rescue stranded cave hikers but to get involved with the politics and war of a SE Asian country is a no go for me. It’s a waste of our time and energy because it will soon be time for another coup.

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Stardust

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:04 pm

By the way european and international help organizations and medical workers didnt got access to the refugees by the Thai army. Also the reports say the refugees were pushed back by force by the Thai Army and is not allowed by international law to send them back in areas still fighting goes on. All this reports inclusive all filmed footages were sent to the UN and are official.

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Roy Bowey

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 2:59 am

I second throwing slugger out of the forum.

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Michael

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 6:19 am

“I second throwing slugger out of the forum.”

How do you want to do that? You don’t even have to register here to post. Its better to ignore him.

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jack

Monday, April 5, 2021 at 4:17 am

This is why you NEVER allow your government to confiscate weapons. Spit balls are not much use against AK-47s

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Ian

Monday, April 5, 2021 at 4:47 am

The UN are the biggest waste of space going they condemn but do nothing I see this so many times they need closing down the west should act and invade this country and restore the democratic government and the dictators arrested for murder as for slugger what a piece of shit you are but karma will prevail and you will suffer I’m sure

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