Refugees Living in Thai-Burma Border, Research Paper Example

Group concerns about the welfare of refugees living in the Thai- Burma border

The plight of refugees is the greatest concern that our group has placed focus on. Most of these persons are subjected to harsh treatments and thus making their lives very uncomfortable. As if that is not enough, the policies governing the lives of refugees living in Thai soil are weak, thus making them very vulnerable to abusive and arbitrative treatments; despite the fact that Thai has hosted millions of refugees for the past decades (Pinyorat, 2005, p.6).

Some of the sufferings that these people face include; being left to live in the camps without the government caring to offer them some good shelter. The refugees that work and live outside the camps also face the problems of arrest and deportation without anyone to fight for their rights. In most cases, the refugees are often arrested, and detained indefinitely. Because Thailand did not amend the 1951 refugee convection, they do not have laws safeguard the rights of refugees (Pinyorat, 2005). As a result, any refugee found outside the camps is always considered to be in the country illegally and faces prosecution.

Despite the Thai government registering about 60% of the refugees’ living in the camp, it hardly offers them protection they deserve. This factor greatly exposes these persons and their children to great risks. At the same time, the remaining unregistered 40% are very vulnerable to attacks and sufferings from the authorities (Thailand: Refugee Policies Ad Hoc and Inadequate | Human Rights Watch, 2013). For this reason, the Burmese living outside the camps are often subjected to arrests and deportations in the events that they present themselves as refugees, rather than immigrant worker. Registration process of a migrant worker is very corrupt, expensive, and difficult thus making it hard for these people to earn it. To add on these, the Thai government does not permit the UN to perform refugee determination screening, a factor that makes these people vulnerable to much more risks. Again, the various refugee camps in Thai are located in the regions that are deserted. This prevents them from receiving the basic help and assistance that is offered by various international aid agencies.

How repatriation of refugees along Thai Burma border may impact the political reform process

Refugees just like any other humans have the right to good life. The choice of the Thai government to repatriate them along the Burma – Tai border can create many impacts on the country’s political reforms. First, it portrays the government in place as mean and greedy and only care for their selfish gains. On political grounds, so many factors influence the leaders that people put in place. One of such factors is the manner in which the refugees are treated. There is also an element of corruption in the Thai government (Rights group, 2012, p.7). The authorities in charge of registering immigrant workers are biased and very corrupt. People have ill opinions about such leadership and can greatly lower their political impact in case of elections. At the same time, considering the 60% of the registered refugees, in case of pledging their political support, they will only support the government that cares for the rights of their people. Due to their large numbers, their votes can easily change the political direction of the country.

Describe, what if anything the group you are playing stands to gain from political reforms in Burma

In the event of positive political reform, this group stands a chance of gaining a lot from the reforms. For example, my group members who may be related closely or distantly to these refugees will stand a chance of benefiting. In case a good government comes in place, the rights of refugees will be upheld and their lives will be very peaceful. Consequently, reforms in the country can lead to reinstatement of various rules that favor the lives of refugees in the country. The economic status of the nation will also benefit since the refugees will contribute to cheap labor as they strive to earner better livelihood, as a result, the economy of the nation will grow. My group members who are Thai citizens therefore stand a greater chance of benefiting from these changes. In addition, reforms will make that work closely with the UNHCR to put in place fair and transparent registration and screening process of the refugees (AP Online, March 23 p. 4).

In conclusion, the lives of refugees living in Thai- Burma needs to be improved, the conditions in which they work also need to be checked into. The nation should set up laws that will provide sufficient justice and protection to the refugees despite of where they live, whether in the camps or other places. In addition, the reforms should allow international aid programs to reach these refugees equally and efficiently. In this manner, both the economic and political status of the country will improve significantly.

References

Death toll in Thai refugee camp fire rises to 35. (2013, March 23). AP Online, p. 4.

Pinyorat, A. P. (2005, July 5). Hmong refugees from Laos, cast out from Thai homes, face future in limbo. AP Worldstream, p. 6.

Rights group: Thai refugee policies inadequate. (2012, September 13). AP Worldstream, p. 7.

Thailand: Refugee Policies Ad Hoc and Inadequate | Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). Human Rights Watch | Defending Human Rights Worldwide. Retrieved April 14, 2013, from http://www.hrw.org/node/110100