BANGKOK, 21 June 2011 -Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly stated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that Thailand has followed the human right principles and legal procedures upon detaining 32 refugees.
The refugees reportedly consist of Indian, Pakistani and Sril Lankan nationals. The UNHCR has called for the release for all of them who are now being detained at the Refugee Detention Center at Soi Suan Phlu. Thailand said in response that they were subject to a process recognized by the Thai Immigration law where they were being treated with respect.
Mr. Thani added that Thailand would continue to provide further assistance to the UNHCR in dealing with illegal immigrants. He stated later that children of the refugees would not be separated from their family, adding they would not be prosecuted as their parents.
