Thailand urged to probe Rohingya girl death

Thailand urged to probe Rohingya girl death

Nearly 100 Rohingya refugees stay at a temporary shelter in Nakhon Si Thammarat early last year after being detained while they were due to be smuggled to another country. (Photo by Nucharee Rakrun)
Nearly 100 Rohingya refugees stay at a temporary shelter in Nakhon Si Thammarat early last year after being detained while they were due to be smuggled to another country. (Photo by Nucharee Rakrun)

An international human rights network on Friday called on the Thai government to launch a probe into the death of a 16-year-old Rohingya girl who died in Thai authorities' custody in Songkhla last week.

The Fortify Rights, a Southeast Asia-based non-profit human rights agency, on Friday issued a statement, urging the government to investigate the death of the girl who died on Nov 2 after being admitted to Hat Yai Hospital in the province.

According to the statement, the girl was taken to the hospital on Oct 27 after suffering from nose and ear bleeding and passed out while being detained at the Sadao Immigration Detention Center (IDC) in Sadao district.

She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The network claimed it had received substantial information indicating the Rohingya girl died from bleeding in her brain and an alleged blood-clotting disorder, which resulted in bruising and bleeding.

In the Fortify Rights’ view, the case mirrors poor environment conditions of IDCs and the government’s maltreatment of Rohingya refugees.

“The girl’s death is a tragedy that should spur Thai authorities to take immediate action to end the indefinite detention of refugees and asylum seekers. 

“Instead of receiving the highest level of care and protection as a refugee child, the girl died behind bars,” said network executive director Amy Smith.

Earlier, Thai authorities detained the girl for more than three years in government-run shelters and IDCs after being trafficked from Myanmar to Thailand in 2014. 

In 2015, the Thai authorities transferred the girl to the Sadao IDC from a shelter run by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

The girl also received treatment at the Sadao Hospital for the alleged blood clotting disorder several times during the months before her death, according to the statement.

“Her death should not go unnoticed. Thailand needs to immediately reverse its appalling treatment of refugees,” said Ms Amy, adding Thai authorities should not let another refugee die behind bars.

In 2016, Fortify Rights documented inhumane conditions at the Sadao IDC. Rohingya detainees at the centre told it they were confined indoors 24-hours a day in overcrowded, unsanitary cells without access to adequate hygiene amenities, adequate food, physical exercise or appropriate medical treatment.

“Thailand’s immigration centres are notorious for failing to meet basic minimum standards. Detention cells are not a safe or appropriate place for refugee children,” said Ms Smith.

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