Saturday, January 19, 2013

Thailand to discuss Rohingya problem with international agencies



Thaivisa
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 19 - The Thai government will discuss sheltering and long-term solutions for Rohingya migrants with the National Security Council (NSC) and concerned international organisations to address the problem, said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Saturday.

The Thai foreign minister made his remarks as he stood in for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on her weekly televised programme regarding the arrest of several hundred Rohingya migrants who illegally entered the kingdom in the South last week.

Mr Surapong said the foreign ministry discussed the Rohingya with the NSC last week and concluded that, initially, as the Rohingya minority were smuggled into the kingdom, they must be prosecuted under Thai law for illegal entry.

Then, for the short term, concerned agencies will care for them under already allocated budgets and the government will seek further help from international organisations in the long run.

Mr Surapong added the Thai authorities will also have to separate Rohingya migrants who have committed offences from the rest.

The minister however insisted Thailand will not repatriate the detained Rohingya people for the time being and that the prime minister has instructed concerned agencies to provide help under humanitarian principles.

Regarding shelter for the Rohingya people, Mr Surapong said he will discuss with the NSC and international organisations soon, including International Red Cross, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and UNICEF to find a sustainable solution of the issue. (MCOT online news)

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