Case of Refugee Temporary Shelters in Thasong Yang, Tak province
26 April 2010
Background
According to the case of temporary shelters in Nong Bua and Mae Usu in Mae Usu Sub-district, Tha Song Yang district, Tak Province related with the attacks along Thai-Burma border since 2009. Which there are support and reliefs from local authorities and non-government organizations continuously.
However, there are some refugee have been repatriated back to Burma which has been publicized and this case attracted attentions from Thai society and international community seriously. National Human Rights Commissions (NHRC) has jointly working with Regional Center for Sustainable Development and Social Sciences (RCSD), faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, in order to study and bring this as a lesson learn for finding solution at national policy level. To initiate a better standard for providing relief to the refugee along Thai-Burma border as well as to prepare for potential problems that might be able to happen again in the future. Including other related economic and social policies along the border that should be improved consistently. To be an approach for building up collaborations among related sectors such as authorities, militaries, NGOs, academic sectors, Thai civil society groups and ethnic networks and Burma organizations networks. Aiming to sustainable and peaceful communities and society along Thai-Burma border.
Objectives
- To be a forum for collecting data and assess situations and problems related to refugee in Tha Song Yang, Tak province and other parts of Thailand
- To provide recommendations from related organizations, networks, civil society groups about short term and long term solutions
- To develop data from the seminar for drafting the master plans for Thai-Burma border solutions
Coordination team
- Siriorn Saelor 086 764 9830 and Kanchana Kulphisitcharoen 081 992 4479
Supported by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Regional Center for Sustainable Development and Social Sciences
(Thai-English translation will be provided*)
08.30 - 09.00 AM Registration
09.00 - 09.15 AM Background and opening by Dr.Nirun Phitakwatchara, Chairperson of Sub-committee on Civic Rights and Political Rights Committee, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
09.15 - 09.45 AM Perspective on problems along Thai-Burma border by H.E. Poksak Nilubol, former Thai Ambassador to Burma
09.45 - 12.00 น. Seminar on "Human rights abuses along Thai-Burma border"
By 1) Somchai Homlaor, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
2) Representatives from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
3) Representative from Ministry of Foreign Affair
4) Dr. Sriprapa Petmeesri, Center for Human Rights and Social Development, Mahidol University/Thailand's representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) *
Moderated by Dr.Chayan Vadhanaphuti, Regional Center for Sustainable Development and Social Sciences (RCSD)
12.00 AM - 1.00 PM Lunch
1.00 - 1.30 PM Speech by Dr. Amara Pongsapich, Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
1.30 - 1.45 PM Presentation of a case study of temporary shelters in Nong Bua and Mae Usu by working group of Regional Center for Sustainable Development and Social Sciences (RCSD)
1.45- 3.30 PM Discussion on "Sharing lesson learns and recommendations for temporary shelters management in the future"
By 1) Dr.Nirun Phitakwatchara, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
2) Samart Loifha, Tak Provincial Governor
3) Representative from National Security Council
4) Representative from Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC)
5) Representative from Karen Community Based Organizations (KCBOs)
3.30 - 4.30 PM Discussion
Moderated by Suriyan Thongnu-iad
4.30 - 5.00 PM Closing by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
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* To be confirmed