Myanmar News Articles: Burmese Refugees Concerned about Forced Repatriation

Reported by: Juri Chai News
Thursday, July 17th, 2014

Mae La refugee camp (Photo: Internet)

Worry about forced repatriation is spreading among Burmese refugees settled along the Thai-Burma border as rumors spread that they will be sent back to their homeland.

Currently, refuges living in camps along the border are not allowed to enter or leave the camps, as security has increased, according to Mae La refugee Ko Khun Oo.

"Now, everyone in the camp cannot leave the camp," said Ko Khun Oo, "We also cannot go around the camp at night. Some refugees, who have to work outside the camp [in order to] have enough savings for living, are also not allowed to go for work. So, at the moment, those people [who must work outside the camp] are having troubles."

U Khun Oo also stated that the camp chairman informed refugees that Thai authorities will come to check the camp on July 19th, to collect a camp census of the refugee population living there.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), The Border Consortium (TBC), Thai authorities, and head leaders of refugee camps will be involved in collecting data on refugees for the census.

Refugees living in the Ban Don Yang camp, located in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, have also been informed that Thai authorities will visit to gather data on the camp's refugee population, but have not been informed with specific information as how the data collection will be performed.

Many refugees, including Ko Htun Lwin, a teacher in Ban Don Yang camp, are concerned about the logistics involved with forced repatriation.

"We have heard about this repatriation, but those who are in charge of the camp have not told us anything yet," said Ko Htun Lwin, "If they send us back [to Burma], where is the place for us to settle down? The people in the camp also do not want to go back. If we are forced to go back, how will we do that? Thinking about that, I am depressed."

Earlier this month, Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Thai army chief and leader of Thailand's National Council for Peace and Order, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in Thailand, to discuss the issue of refugee repatriation.

On July 11th, Thai TV broadcast that during the meeting between the two generals, it was agreed that Thailand and Burma would cooperate in order for repatriation efforts to go smoothly. The two countries also agreed to provide security and humanitarian aid for refugees to return to Burma safely.

According to Thai media outlets, Thai authorities plan to send more than 140,000 refugees back to Burma within a year. Due to news about repatriation, the UNHCR and TBC has reportedly voiced concern that the time is not right for refugees to return home, or to be sent back to Burma.

According to TBC, there are nine refugee camps located along the Thai-Burma border, with a population of more than 100,000 refugees.