2023.06.19 World Refugee Day 2023

World Refugee Day 2023: Stop arbitrary detention of refugees: making this a reality under the new Thai government

Activities: Panel discussion, Visual Simulation, Art Installation, Short-Film Screening, Foods & Crafts
Hosted by: Coalition for the Rights of Refugees and Stateless Persons (CRSP), Amnesty International Thailand (AI Thailand), Asylum Access Thailand (AAT), Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), Center for Asylum Protection (CAP), Equal Asia Foundation (EAF), Host International, International Detention Coalition (IDC), Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Peace Rights Foundation (PRF), Refugee Rights Litigation Project (RRLP)
On the eve of world refugee day, thousands of refugees, migrants, stateless persons are held in detention in Thailand's immigration facilities. Thailand's current system offers no legal status in Thailand for those have been forced to flee their home countries due to war, violence or persecution. Certain nationalities may seek protection from UNHCR, and if recognised as a refugee, then apply for the small number of resettlement places available. Those who cannot register with UNHCR have few, if any options. Stateless persons including several hundred Rohingya and approximately 50 Uyghur have spent years held in overcrowded detention centres with no idea when they will be released, where lack of nutrition, adequate healthcare and exercise have led to serious health problems and, in a few instances this year, death.
As the new government begins its term, the national screening mechanism for refugees commences, the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act is enforced and a policy on alternatives to detention for children is under review, the landscape for those held in indefinite immigration detention could look very different. Our experts, including a person of lived experience of Thai immigration detention, will talk about the reality now and the opportunities to be seized by a new government to end indefinite detention.
Members of Thailand’s refugee community will share their art in an installation entitled Life behind bars, and Equal Asia Foundation and APRRN’s short film, Not always Rainbows. Click Aroi foods and crafts prepared by refugees will be also available. Speakers at the event will speak primarily in English and can response your questions in both English and Thai. Press materials in both languages will be available at the event.
Join us in the FCCT clubhouse or via Facebook Live, to hear from:
A speaker with lived experience in Thailand’s detention center
Kannavee Suebsang, Secretary-General, Fair Party, a proposed member of a new coalition government
Pia Oberoi, senior advisor on Migration and Human Rights for the Asia Pacific Region, United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) Bangkok
Chawaratt Chawarangkul, Southeast Asia programme manager, International Detention Coalition
Yuhanee Jehka, regional manager, Host International
Closing Remarks by Puttanee Kangkun, director of The Fort and Chair of Amnesty International Thailand
Moderated by Prima Sukmanop, legal officer, Asylum Access Thailand