Concerning the report by a non-governmental organisation on human rights regarding the case where the Royal Thai Police has apprehended Pakistani and Somali nationals on 30 October 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to clarify as follow;

 

1. The apprehension of overstayers as cited in the report is a normal legal procedure in accordance with the Thai Immigration Act B.E. 2522 concerning a violation of the conditions of permission to stay in Thailand. Meanwhile Thailand has consistently been providing appropriate humanitarian care to all groups of people, taking into full consideration of Thailand’s international human rights obligations.

 

2. In accordance with Thai laws, there is no detention of children illegally entering or residing in the country. They are placed in shelters under the protective care of social workers of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. There are however cases where parents wish to keep the children with them at immigration detention centers. Permission in those cases will be granted only with a written parental request;

 

3. Relevant Thai agencies are in the process of establishing a concrete framework which would facilitate the placement of children with mother/ unaccompanied minors either under the care of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security or qualified NGOs which will be registered. This is in fact an on-going effort of agencies concerned and a generous gesture that the Government is taking to address the concerns for children, taking into consideration constructive recommendations by various stakeholders, including civil society groups;

 

  4. On the refugee screening mechanism, the relevant Thai agencies and have already set up a working group to assess the various options, pros and cons and implications particularly in relations to the existing laws and regulations. The Thai agencies concerned stand ready to listen to views and inputs from all relevant stakeholders, including the civil society groups.