What international laws prohibit sending refugees to danger zones?

Question

Accepted Answer

International Laws Prohibiting the Return of Refugees to Danger Zones

The deportation of approximately 1,300 Rohingya refugees from Thailand back to Myanmar constitutes a significant breach of international legal principles that safeguard individuals fleeing persecution. These established international laws strictly prohibit the return of refugees and asylum-seekers to territories where they are likely to encounter danger or face persecution, a principle often referred to as non-refoulement. This prohibition is a cornerstone of international refugee protection, ensuring that individuals are not forcibly returned to situations that could threaten their lives or freedom.
The Principle of Non-Refoulement

The fundamental prohibition against returning individuals to situations of danger is enshrined in international refugee law, most notably through the principle of non-refoulement. While specific Thai laws or decrees may not explicitly detail this, the international legal framework is clear. This principle dictates that no state should expel or return any person to the frontier of territories where their life or freedom would be threatened on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The United Nations Refugee Convention of 1951, to which Thailand is not a signatory, and its 1967 Protocol, are the primary international instruments that codify this obligation for signatory states. However, the principle of non-refoulement is also considered a customary international law, binding on all states, regardless of their signatory status to specific treaties.
Persecution Faced by the Rohingya

The Rohingya minority group in Myanmar has been systematically subjected to severe persecution, making their return to the country a direct violation of the non-refoulement principle. Described by the United Nations as one of the world's most persecuted minorities, the Rohingya face significant challenges in Myanmar, including severe travel restrictions, forced labour, and limited access to essential services like healthcare and education. Furthermore, Myanmar's government views the Rohingya population as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, denying them citizenship and basic rights. This context of systemic discrimination and violence, including outbreaks of sectarian violence resulting in deaths and displacement in Rakhine State, underscores the danger faced by those forcibly returned.
International Scrutiny and Concerns

The deportation of the Rohingya has drawn strong criticism from international human rights organisations, such as Human Rights Watch. These groups have highlighted that sending the Rohingya back to Myanmar places them at risk of further persecution and exploitation, including falling into the hands of human traffickers. The lack of transparency surrounding the deportation process, with concerns raised about the involvement of the foreign ministry, further fuels apprehension. The international community continues to monitor the situation, urging for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian standards in the treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What international laws prohibit sending refugees to danger zones?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends