Coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has sought to allay critics’ fears over the junta’s plan to repatriate Myanmar refugees, saying human rights principles will be upheld.
During his weekly televised address, which he has held in lieu of media conferences since shortly after the coup, Gen Prayuth said authorities are yet to start the repatriation.
“The Thai government and the neighbouring administration have to find an appropriate way to ensure a safe return of the refugees,” he said. “The significant matter is that human rights must not be violated.”
The National Council for Peace and Order chief said repatriation would not be carried out by members of the armed forces.
Earlier this month, Gen Prayuth announced that refugees from nine camps would be sent back to Myanmar. The announcement came shortly after he met Myanmar Supreme Commander Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
The move stirred criticism from refugee advocates, who expressed concerns about the refugees’ fate after they return to Myanmar because ethnic conflict continues in a number of states.
Aid workers at camps along the border with Myanmar have said the refugees are confused and fearful for their futures.
Refugees are afraid the repatriation will take place soon, despite armed conflict still raging in parts of Myanmar, they said.
More than 55,000 refugees from Myanmar and a small number from other countries have been resettled from Thailand to third countries since 2005, according to the UNHCR. There are about 130,000 refugees living in the nine border camps.
The repatriation issue is expected to be raised during the three-day Thai-Myanmar Regional Border Committee meeting starting on Friday in the southern Myanmar city of Myeik. Lt Gen Preecha Chan-ocha, the 3rd Army commander and younger brother of Gen Prayuth, is scheduled to represent the junta at the meeting.
Gen Prayuth said he assigned a deputy army chief of staff to meet Amnesty International delegates last week to explain the junta’s perspective on the recent political unrest and the NCPO’s work before and after the imposition of martial law.
He said the discussion also touched on the NCPO’s role in solving the problem of undocumented migrant workers and refugees from Myanmar.
Amnesty International is yet to comment on the meeting.
Speaking about the NCPO’s efforts to regulate illegal migrant workers, Gen Prayuth said security officers were working with officials from neighbouring countries to ensure passports are issued to the large number of alien workers.