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THE NATION: UNHCR to assess
Politics
UNHCR to assess
dissident
THE United Nations High Commission for
Refugees (UNHCR) Tuesday began
interviewing convicted Burmese student
San Naing to determine whether he is
eligible for ''people of concern'' status, an
informed source at the immigration bureau
said.
San Naing, 32, who was released from jail
on Friday, may remain in custody at the
Immigration Detention Centre pending
deportation unless he can find a third
country to accept him, the source said.
So far the United States, Canada and
Australia have refused his request for
asylum on the grounds of his violent record.
The granting of UNHCR status is one of
several conditions required for San Naing
to gain acceptance to a third country.
Thai authorities have already indicated they
do not want him to stay here, although they
will not try to deport him to Burma.
A UNHCR source said it will take some
time before San Naing's assessment --
which will have to be referred to
headquarters in Geneva as he was found
guilty of criminal conduct -- can be
completed.
In 1989, San Naing and an accomplice
hijacked a flight from Burma to U-Tapao
and demanded the release of Burmese
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and
other opposition leaders.
San Naing and his colleague Ye Yint were
sentenced to three years in prison. Ye Yint
was granted political asylum by the United
States after his release in 1992.
In 1993, San Naing was convicted of
possessing explosives and ammunition for
automatic weapons. He was sentenced to
five years and four months in jail and was
released last Friday.
He was also convicted of illegal entry for
which he will be deported.
The Nation