PM rules out refugee centre for Rohingya migrants

Thaivisa
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 19 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra disagreed with the idea for a displaced person centre for Rohingya migrants awaiting repatriation from Thailand after illegally entering into the country.

She said such a centre will not solve the problem in the long run as the Rohingya minority people want to settle down in a safe place.

The Foreign Ministry will have to discuss with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on procedures for dealing with the Rohingya migrants and whether a refugee centre is viable, she said, adding that coordination with the country of origin and third countries is also necessary for a clear solution to the problem.

The Rohingya migrants will not be repatriated to Myanmar for the time being, Ms Yingluck said.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said responsible government agencies will have to deal with the Rohingya migrants under Thai law for illegal entry but the procedure could be flexibly applied, especially regarding women and children.

Human trafficking victims will be separated from illegal migrants and categories of offences will be clearly defined, bearing in mind humanitarian principles, he said.

An immediate solution involves sheltering and taking care of the Rohingya illegal migrants while the Foreign Ministry will negotiate with Myanmar, other countries and international organisations on their resettlement, Mr Surapong said.

The UNHCR, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UNICEF and International Red Cross are among the agencies to hold talks with the Thai foreign ministry to find a sustainable solution with an emphasis on Thailand’s sovereignty, he said.

He said the Foreign Ministry began initial talks with UNHCR and IOM on Tuesday to prepare a framework for assistance to the Rohingya migrants while representatives of international agencies on humanitarianism will be invited to visit the temporary Rohingya holding centres.

Mr Surapong expressed appreciation to the Muslim community in Songkhla, where over 800 Rohingya migrants were apprehended, for giving donations and other assistance to the ethnic people.  (MCOT online news)