OMCT Case THA 260198.1 - Follow Up

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OMCT Case THA 260198.1
Follow up Case THA 260198

The International Secretariat has received new information concerning
the situation of the nine Burmese students in Thailand on whose behalf
we asked you to intervene.

Brief reminder of the situation:

The International Secretariat was informed of the arrest of nine
students from Myanmar on 22 January 1998 at about 4 pm at Ramkhamhaeng
University canteen by plainclothes police. Naing Oo and Gyi Oo who
were holding "safe area passes " were released. The remaining seven
were moved from Hua Mark police station to the Immigration Detention
Centre in Bangkok. On 23 January 1998, they were summoned to court and
were charged as illegal immigrants. 

The names of those arrested are : Aung Gyi, former ONSOB chair; Khin
Khin, case for protection under consideration by UNHCR; Nyein Myo,
husband of Khin Khin, case for protection under consideration by
UNHCR; Ko Thet, chairman ABBESU; U Myan, ONSOB member; Than Zin Htun;
Aye Chein. 

New information:

The International Secretariat has been informed that the two of the
nine persons have been released from police custody following UNHCR
intervention. The two were able to prove that  they are residents of
the Maneeloy Burmese Centre and they are in Bangkok with permission
granted by the Ministry of Interior. Of the other seven arrested
persons, five will  fall under the mandate of UNHCR as they have
applied to refugee status. However, they had already been prosecuted
in court before UNHCR could make any intervention. They have served a
50 days-detention in lieu of  a6,000 baht fine at Hua Mark police
station. 

According to the information, UNHCR is providing legal representation
to the seven Burmese nationals after they completed their sentences in
mid-March 1998. 

The International Secretariat remains gravely concerned over the fact
that these students may face forced labour and torture because of
their student activism should they be deported. During the past year,
a growing incidence of harassment and arrests of Myanmar nationals
have taken place. A significant number of targets were democracy
activists working in exile in Thailand. Some of these arrests were for
the purposes of extortion. However, it would now appear that arrests
and summary deportations are being conducted to fulfil government
quotas to push back "economic migrants" to Myanmar.

Action requested :
Please continue writing to the authorities of Thailand urging them to
:

i.	take all the necessary measures to guarantee the physical and
psychological integrity of Aung Gyi, Khin Khin, Nyein Myo, Ko Thet, U
Myan, Than Zin Htun and Aye Chein; 
ii.	ensure that Aung Gyi, Khin Khin, Nyein Myo, Ko Thet, U Myan, 
Than Zin Htun and Aye Chein are not deported back to Myanmar where 
there are risks of torture; 
iii.	ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental 
freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards.

Addresses :

PM Chuan Leekpai, 
Office of the Prime Minister, 
Government House
Nakhon Pathom Rd., Bangkok, 10300, 
Thailand. 
Fax +662-2801443/+662-2812536/+662-2825131 

The King of Thailand, 
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej,  
c/o His Royal Secretary, 
Office of the King,
Bangkok, Thailand. 
Fax: + 66-2-280-0557/ +66-2-224-3259 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 
United Nations Bldg. 3 fl.,
Rajadamnern Rd., Bangkok, Thailand 10200. 
Fax: +662- 280-0555 


30 March 1998 


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