People running for their lives from Myanmar need protection in Thailand – Humanitarian groups

24 December 2021

We, the undersigned organisations, call on the Royal Thai Government to protect and assist
thousands of people fleeing violence in Myanmar. The conflict and humanitarian situation in
Myanmar continue to deteriorate, making the need for safe border crossings in to Thailand and
access to humanitarian assistance and asylum all the more urgent.

Since 15 December, an escalation in armed conflict in Kayin Sate in Myanmar has forcibly
displaced an estimated 10,000 people from Lay Kay Kaw and nearby villages, including 3,900
people who have crossed the border into Thailand. It has resulted in an unknown number of
civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure and multiple displacements. The displaced people
are currently being hosted in a variety of temporary, makeshift sites that do not provide
adequate shelter and protection including in schools, places of worship and in open fields and
forested areas.

On 22 December 2021, reports emerged that 1,000 villagers, including children who were fleeing
conflict in the border areas, were prevented by Thai authorities from crossing the river from
Myanmar into Thailand. They are in immediate need of food, water and other essential aid. Aid
agencies are facing difficulties in accessing people in need and providing services in displacement
sites in Thailand. They also face persistent challenges with delivering aid supplies to Myawaddy,
across the border in Myanmar due to road blockages and security restrictions.

We urge the Royal Thai Government to keep Thailand’s borders open to people fleeing violence
in Myanmar and to uphold its obligations under international law and stated commitment to
protecting and assisting refugees. It should stop pushing back people seeking refuge in Thailand
or attempting to cross the border as their lives are in danger. Fighting, shelling and airstrikes
continue in Kayin state, including in the areas where people have fled. Any returns must be truly
voluntary, based on informed consent and carried out in safety and dignity.

We also urge the Royal Thai Government not to push people back to Myanmar because of Covid19. While any movement of people must be properly managed with rigorous public health
measures in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, trying to contain the pandemic is not a
justification for pushing people back to unsafe and dangerous situations.

We are calling on the Thai Government to take the following actions to protect and assist those
fleeing Myanmar:

• Keep Thailand’s borders open to people fleeing violence in Myanmar. Respect the
  principle of non-refoulement; do not push back people seeking protection in Thailand.
  Consider all people attempting to cross the Myanmar Thailand border as potential
  refugees.

• Implement the five-point consensus agreed at the ASEAN Special Leaders Meeting on
  Myanmar on 24 April 2021, particularly the priority to ensure delivery of humanitarian
  relief to the people of Myanmar.

• Establish clear and systematic screening procedures along the border area, in
  coordination with the UN’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to allow people fleeing to seek
  asylum. Allow people access to the national screening mechanism and give them the
  opportunity to apply for the status of being protected persons. Ensure adequate COVID19 screening, quarantine and treatment facilities are available for those crossing the
  border.

• Allow UNHCR and humanitarian organisations to independently screen arrivals from
  Myanmar to identify and support the most vulnerable groups including separated and
  unaccompanied children, pregnant women, elderly and people with disabilities. Ensure
  that psychosocial and physical harm screening as well as protection monitoring is in place
  for new arrivals.

• Allow humanitarian agencies access to displacement holding sites, enable them to
  conduct needs assessments and provide provide lifesaving aid and other services
  especially for the most vulnerable groups, including food, water and health care.

• Ensure that displacement holding sites are adapted for the potential longer-term stay
  of people fleeing Myanmar, including the provision of inclusive and physically safe
  spaces for children and child-centred services such as health and nutrition, education,
  child protection and psychosocial support.

• The Royal Thai Government should work with ASEAN and its member states to find
  political and diplomatic solutions to address the root causes of the conflict in Myanmar.

Signatories

Adventist Development and Relief Agency

Asylum Access Thailand

Coalition for the Rights of Refugees and Stateless Persons

COEER Foundation

Handicap International

International Rescue Committee

Jesuit Refugee Service Thailand

Right to Play

Ruammit Foundation-DARE Network

Save the Children

Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation

Stateless Children Projection Project III

Terre des Hommes Germany

The Border Consortium

WEAVE Foundation

People running for their lives from Myanmar need protection in Thailand – Humanitarian groups
Source: Philippines Legacy PH