A Lao human rights activist living in Thailand as a UN-recognized refugee is being held for deportation back to Laos, where he deals with arrest for his advocacy work, Lao sources say.
Khoukham Keomanivong was jailed Saturday on a charge of overstaying his permission to be in the country and was attempted Monday afternoon at the Don Mueang district court in the capital Bangkok, an officer at the Thug Song Hong police station told RFA.
” He was transferred to the migration bureau after he was condemned of overstaying his visa,” the officer stated, speaking on condition of privacy since he was not authorized to speak with the media.
Authorities held Khoukhams one-day trial behind closed doors, citing COVID-19 issues, and RFA reporters were not allowed inside the court structure.
Court officials did not provide details on the case following the procedures, and calls seeking comment from Thailands immigration bureau received no response on Monday.
Khoukham, a member of Free Laos– a group established in Thailand to promote human rights and democracy in Laos– is currently being held at the Suan Plu detention center pending deportation, sources stated.
Angkhana Neelapaijit, a previous national human rights commissioner, stated she is now working with associates to look for bail for Khoukham.
” Im working with different networks who assist foreign refugees and want to lodge a demand tomorrow,” she stated, talking to RFA and BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. “In the case of UNHCR-protected individuals, the migration authorities could approve bail with a bond and guarantor. Such individuals ought to not be required to return to deal with damage.”
Khoukam is an officially recognized UNHCR refugee, “and under no situations ought to Thailand send him back to Laos, where he would certainly face arrest and abuse,” included Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
” The Thai authorities must launch him immediately and enable him to seek security in a third country if that is what he wants,” Robertson said.
Laos deals severely with dissidents who require democracy and regard for human rights in the one-party communist state, “and there is no doubt that he would deal with arrest, jail time, and possibly even worse if the Thais send him back into harms method in Laos.”
A 3rd nation would grant asylum to Khoukham if asked for by HRW, Robertson stated. “But we have to make sure he does not get returned first.”
Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Equated by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Richard Finney.
( function( d, s, id) connect.facebook.net
(file, script, facebook-jssdk));.
Source link.
” Im working with different networks who assist foreign refugees and hope to lodge a request tomorrow,” she said, speaking to RFA and BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. “In the case of UNHCR-protected people, the immigration authorities could give bail with a bond and guarantor. Such individuals need to not be required to go back to face harm.”
Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Composed in English by Richard Finney.
