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Bkk post -Groups call for pause in



Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Bkk post -Groups call for pause in expulsions

Bangkok Post - Nov 11, 1999.
Groups call for pause in expulsions

Non-governmental organisations yesterday called on the government to suspend
the repatriation of Burmese workers until conditions on the border ease.

The 13 NGOs also called for a temporary shelter to be set up for the workers
and their families who cannot be sent back. They also urged measures be
introduced to prevent sexual violence against women "especially by the
authorities".

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) NGOs, as well
as groups engaged in protection work for women, children and migrants
spearheaded the calls.

The long-term solutions they proposed included:uA clear-cut government plan
on migrant workers in keeping with demand for their service and the National
Economic and Social Development Plan*Official-level Thai-Burmese
talks*Devolution of authority to provincial officials*The setting up of
migrant worker committees comprising employers, migrant workers, NGOs and
the media.

The foreign ministry has conceded the current way of returning Burmese
migrants had not worked and said the government will seek a solution to the
failed repatriation through a high-level political visit to Rangoon.

Thailand has proposed that a joint sub-committee be entrusted with securing
a systematic and sustainable solution, but Rangoon says the issue should be
handled by a local-level mechanism like the township border committee, he
said.

"The ministry is working on other ways besides the existing mechanisms and
considering that a visit by either country's leader certainly will improve
the political climate," said spokesman Don Pramudwinai.

A visit to Burma by a Thai leader should not be regarded as a winning or
losing gesture, he said, adding that the question of a high-level visit
should be finalised by the end of this month.