Amid concerns that a Feb. 28 deadline for Thailand's Nationality Verification process could lead to mass deportations of Burmese and other migrant workers, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a new report looking at the plight of migrant workers in Thailand. Simon Roughneen talks with Sunai Phasuk, the senior researcher for HRW in Thailand.
BEATEN, burned, drowned, suffocated, sexually abused, trafficked, ripped-off, and always, eventually, rounded-up and pushed out - violence against migrants from Burma, Cambodia and Laos makes the headlines daily in the Thai media. But when the storyline turns to those responsible, a curtain of silence descends over the issue of those who perpetrate these abuses.
Australia has a good track record of principled diplomacy and implementing targeted sanctions against abusive military governments in Burma and Fiji. Yet it's relatively easy for Australia to speak out about countries where it has few economic interests. It takes more courage and principle to turn up the heat on countries where it has significant economic and strategic interests.
Human Rights Watch joins with others to write to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva regarding the safety and security of over two million migrants from Burma, Cambodia and Laos currently working in Thailand.
