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Panel Discussion “Is Thailand a Safe Home? Refugee Crisis & Solutions”
April 30 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
On 10 February 2024, the State Administration Council (SAC), after the coup d’etat on 1 February 2021, announced the enforcement of the military conscription law, which drafts men ages 18-35 and women ages 18-27 for at least two years. Many Myanmar youth reported forced conscription to fight in a war against pro-democracy oppositional groups and ethnic army organizations. People of all ages have fled into Thailand or sought refuge abroad. Seeking refuge in Thailand has not been easy for the Myanmar people to pursue basic rights to life, education, work, let alone accessing temporary visas. (See 24 April Panel: http://seajunction.org/event/panel-discussion-myanmar-youth-defy-mandatory-conscription/) FB Live: (link not yet available)
This panel will discuss obligations of Thailand, in particular recommendations to the Thai Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Social Development & Human Security, and Education in ensuring humanitarian responsibilities for refugees fleeing for safety. Speakers will provide an update to Thailand’s security response, current challenges in border regions, hospitals, detention deportation centers, as well as the armed conflict situations in Myanmar. The panel members propose policy recommendations submitted to the parliamentary committee and to the Thai authorities, urging them to adhere to the principle of non-refoulement and to find temporary settlement for refugees residing in Thailand.
The panel discussion is organized by the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol Migration Center- Joint Research Unit, the Migrant Working Group, the Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies, and SEA Junction on Tuesday, 30th April 2024 at 5.30 PM at SEA Junction consists of the following resource persons all appearing in-person w/ zoom simultaneous English interpretation:
Moderator:
- Kritaya Archavanitkul, Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University
Speakers:
- Human Rights Development Foundation, HRDF (Mr. Somchai Homloar, Chairperson and senior attorney), cases of human rights violations
- Mr. Chawaratt Chawarangkul, Thailand Migration Reform Consortium (TMR), detention and deportation updates
- Dr. Sureeporn Punpuing MMC-IPSR, Mahidol University and Dr. Mary Rose G.A Sarausad, AIT, national screening mechanism
- Mr. Siwawong Sooktawee, Migrant Working Group, discussion on policies and the parliamentary sub-committee
- Respondent: Dr. Sann Aung, Mew Myanmar Foundation
The event will be broadcast on SEA Junction facebook live page and cross-posted also in the organizers’ respective pages. You can also join on Zoom at the link (link not yet available)
On Zoom and on site there will be English interpretation available.
For more information, please email: info@seajunction.org or phone/wa: +66970024140
NB: The event is free, but donations are welcome to support SEA Junction activities.
Organizers:
Migrant Working Group (MWG)
MWG is an NGO network with the objective of supporting migrant workers in accessing to rights and protection and good standard of living with the respect of human rights and without discrimination. For more information see https://mwgthailand.org/en/about.
The Mahidol Migration Center (MMC)
MMC is part of the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR) with the aim to focus on the impact of migration in the region and helps disseminate information on migration more efficiently. The MMC serves as the primary channel for migration-related information provided by IPSR and its partners. The MMC, IPSR, and Mahidol University hold core humanitarian values with the goal of deep participation in interdisciplinary and international cooperation. For more info see https://ipsr.mahidol.ac.th/en/research-centers/
Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), Mahidol University
IHRP is committed to the advancement of human rights and peace by educating human rights and peace practitioners, promoting outreach programs to community and international organizations, and conducting cutting edge research. IHRP offers post-graduate programs on human rights, peace studies, and democracy. For more info see https://ihrp.mahidol.ac.th/
SEA Junction
SEA Junction was established in 2016 under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), with the aim to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions, from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 407-8 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information, see www.seajunction.org, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1693058870976440/ and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @seajunction
