Nutchanart Boonkhong, a civil rights activist and founder of Baan Kru Naam Foundation, has expressed serious concerns about the fate of 19 stateless children from Myanmar in an exclusive interview with Reuters. Seized from an affiliate of her foundation in LopBuri, Thailand, by the government on March 12, Boonkhong fears these children may be deported back to Myanmar despite the ongoing civil war.
In a response to Boonkhong’s concerns, Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, denied the accusation of deportation. He stated the children were removed from the foundation due to concerns raised by social development officers regarding potential exploitation for financial purposes – a claim Boonkhong refutes.
These recent events occur in a context where the escalating violence in Myanmar has gained worldwide attention. The nation has been under military rule since 2021, which has led to increased societal unrest and dereliction of human rights. Warnings have been sounded by the UN about the deteriorating situation and estimates from Amnesty International indicate over 1.4 million people being displaced and 52,000 being forced to flee to other countries.
In Thailand, the issue of statelessness remains complex despite the government’s commitment to mitigate the issue. Tuenjai Deetes, another longstanding Thai social activist, has consistently criticized the government for its inaction. Notwithstanding the Royal Thai Government’s endorsement of the UNCHR’s campaign to end statelessness by 2024, latest events as highlighted by Boonkhong, question the government’s actual commitment in safeguarding the rights of the stateless.