[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

NEWS - Sign refugee convention and



Subject: NEWS - Sign refugee convention and earn world respect

THE NATION - August 2, 1999

Editorial & Opinion

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Sign refugee convention and earn world respect

THE recent spate of incidents along the Thai-Burmese border involving
refugees, drugs and the demarcation line require a new thinking on the
part
of Thailand.

One of the most important ways to gradually settle the Thai-Burmese
border
issues is to deal with the influx of Burmese refugees differently. In
fact,
the time has come for the Thai government to give full protection to
innocent refugees living along the Thai-Burmese border. To do so, the
Chuan
government must accede without delay to the United Nations Convention
relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951.

By dragging its feet on this, as the government has done over the past
four
decades, would only hold Thailand and its national security interests
hostage to the porous Thai-Burmese border as well as the junta leaders
in
Burma.

The recent announcement by the National Security Council that Thailand
would
repatriate 90,000 Burmese displaced persons within three years is a
retrogressive step, given the long history of Thai hospitality and
diplomacy. Those refugees who are safe inside Thailand should be allowed
to
stay and those who want to return voluntary should be able to do so
anytime.
The refugees, however, must not be forcibly sent back. Such an action
would
not only contravene Thai social responsibility, but it also violates
United
Nations principles.

Even with the ongoing economic crisis that hit the country two years
ago,
Thailand remains a popular destination for the destitute escaping from
political oppression and poverty in their bid to seek jobs and a better
life. Above all, the Thais are hospitable people. Most of these people
are
coming from Burma these days. They can literally cross the
2,420-kilometre
Thai-Burmese border at will, albeit under the watchful eyes of the
border
patrol police.

Both the Karens and the Shans, the two major minorities that have relied
on
Thailand's generosity, have long historical links with the Thais. Their
peoples have been summarily suppressed and intimidated, forcing them to
cross over to the Thai side for safety reasons. These minorities are
still
waging a war of liberation against the Burmese security forces.


Although Thai-Burmese relations have improved over the past months, it
has
not yet reached the level of mutual trust that warrants major
breakthroughs
in refugee issues, drugs suppression, and above all, border security.

Beginning this year, the Foreign Ministry has become more accommodating
with
Rangoon in the hope that it could influence positive changes in Burma.
As
the new Asean chairman, Thailand wants to ensure some progress in
Burma's
political situation, as well as improvements along the Thai-Burmese
border.

In recent months, the border security in northern Thailand with adjacent
areas to Burma has become very tense. These areas have now become great
sources of heroin and amphetamines before they reach the rest of the
world.
The Burmese side has yet to provide full cooperation to wipe out this
illicit trade. Like Thailand, the international community is
increasingly
willing to cooperate with Burma on drug-related issues while maintaining
a
firm position on human rights and democracy.

Army chief Gen Surayud Chulanont, since he took over this powerful
position
eight months ago, has adopted a no-nonsense policy on the Thai-Burmese
border. Any border incursions by the Burmese forces would be responded
to
with the strongest measures possible. The security forces have been
instructed to be professional and to avoid shady transactions.
Transparency
along border areas has since increased tremendously.

Last July, Thailand invited the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to
play a
bigger role in taking care of the Burmese refugees living in settlements
along the Thai-Burmese border. It was a good decision. But the
government
needs to go further in facilitating the work of UNHCR and other
international relief organisations. After all, Thailand has nothing to
hide.

Thailand should utilise the good office of UNHCR by expanding the
organisation's access to the border areas. Existing facilities in Mae
Hong
Son and Kanchanaburi are no longer sufficient to deal with situation.

UNHCR and other international relief organisations have assisted
Thailand to
cope with its refugee problems on humanitarian grounds. But to guarantee
the
refugees' safety, Thailand needs to do more. These border refugees have
from
time to time resettled in new camps deep inside the Thai territory to
ensure
that they would be safe from possible attacks and incursions from the
Burmese military. And they should be allowed to remain. Moving them back
would gravely endanger their lives.

Thai officials have been engaging in a self-indulgence game by arguing
that
Thailand has done more than its fair share to assist and provide shelter
to
the refugees for the past 30 years. Thailand's cooperation with the
international community over the Cambodian refugees epitomised Thai
generosity, they said. So, there is no need to accede to the 1951
convention.

To persist on this line of argument is totally missing the point.
Thailand
must come out of the closet in dealing with its refugees, an issue that
will
not go away as long as human security in neighbouring countries does not
improve. The four decades of engaging the Karen refugees and their armed

elements should provide valuable lessons for the Thais. Thai authorities
have to recognise that these issues are long-standing and need a
coherent
and well-defined policy -- not a knee-jerk policy every time there is an
incursion by the Burmese troops.

The Chuan government must weigh carefully the pros and cons in dealing
with
the refugees. By acceding to the 1951 convention, Thailand will be a
responsible partner of the world community. What kind of achievements
has
the country attained in the past by avoiding its international
commitment on
refugees, other than more agonies and internal conflicts?

After all, this is not a zero-sum game. It will also be the first step
in
tackling complicated border issues, particularly the refugee problems,
as
they can be effectively dealt with in a transparent manner and with the
assistance of the international community.

BY KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN