UN concerned at Thai treatment of asylum seekers

Asia Pacific

Last Updated: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:43:00 +1100

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says it's concerned at media reports of Thai soliders detaining illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Burma and forcing them out to sea.

The UNHCR's spokesperson for Asia based in Bangkok, Kitty McKinsey, has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program it's requesting clarification of these allegations from the Thai government.

Some media organisations are reporting that the Thai soliders forced 500 asylum seekers into the sea on boats without engines.

The illegal immigrants are reportedly recovering from acute dehydration in India's Andaman Islands and the Indonesian province of Aceh.

Ms McKinsey says the reports are concerning.

"We have requested the Thai government to take all measures necessary to ensure that the lives of the Rohinga boat people are not put at risk and we have reminded the Thai government that these people should be treated humanely in accordance with the international humantarian standards," said Ms McKinsey.

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