Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Bdap's arrest a litmus test
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/06/2024
» As Thailand vies for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2025-2027 term -- something the previous Prayut government failed to do -- the arrest of Y Quynh Bdap, a Vietnamese political activist with UN refugee status, will serve as a litmus test for Thailand's human rights standards.
Give peace a chance
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/10/2023
» A week has passed with the world community watching in horror at the revelations of the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, which now risk triggering a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Hamas militants launched a surprise airborne and rare ground onslaught on Israel last Saturday, which gave Israeli forces no choice but to retaliate against them in the Gaza Strip.
Refugee policy needs rethink
News, Editorial, Published on 09/01/2022
» The influx of ethnic Karen refugees fleeing war in Myanmar across the Thai border has raised questions yet again over Thailand's policies on refugees and its cosy ties with the Myanmar military.
Selling the family silver?
News, Editorial, Published on 27/09/2021
» The cabinet's plan to launch a scheme to attract wealthy foreigners for long-term stays in the country by offering them the right to own property is controversial as many critics brand it as a khai chart [traitorous] idea.
Challenge of contagion
News, Editorial, Published on 05/03/2020
» The exodus of illegal workers from South Korea, the world's No.2 hotspot for Covid-19, has given rise to grave concerns that the disease which has claimed more than 3,200 lives worldwide may well become a pandemic.
The lack of refugee policy
News, Editorial, Published on 19/02/2019
» Thailand has been at the centre of asylum and refugee disputes since the year began. But in the past six weeks, what has emerged is not a pretty picture. A young Saudi woman won world Twitter backing and a ticket to Canada. A Bahraini refugee from Australia won freedom for a second time with inventive diplomacy. Now three of the seven Uighur migrants who escaped detention at the Mukdahan Immigration office have "won" a police manhunt and a legal limbo where extradition back to China is their No.1 likely future.
Overlooking Araibi's rights
News, Editorial, Published on 02/02/2019
» As it requested the Criminal Court to proceed with extraditing Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi to Manama yesterday, the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) sent a message to the international community that it would rather entertain Bahrain's request than follow international principles on refugee treatment.
Asylum policy adjustments welcome
News, Editorial, Published on 21/01/2019
» The new, high-profile chief of immigration is promising an optimistic and extremely welcome change of policy. While the exact plans are being thrashed out, Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn pledges to provide more humane and professional treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
Don't drag on Araibi case
News, Editorial, Published on 15/01/2019
» The government should reconsider the continued detention of the refugee Hakeem al-Araibi, known as the refugee football player. He is being held without bail at Bangkok Remand Prison as a flight risk, while authorities from Bahrain attempt to extradite him. There is little compelling evidence to send him to a dangerous and possibly violent fate in that country. On the other hand, there are strong reasons to free him to return to Australia, where he has lived for four years in asylum while working towards citizenship.
Immigration's poor choices
News, Editorial, Published on 09/01/2019
» A Saudi teenager took "running away from home" to a new level on Sunday when she showed up at Suvarnabhumi airport. What happened next, however, turned into unpleasant farce, with Thailand as villain.