ROHINGYA: UNHCR TO PUSH REGIONAL APPROACH WITH

UNCLAS GENEVA 000204


STATE FOR PRM/ANE, EAP/MLS
BANGKOK FOR REFCOORD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM TH BM
SUBJECT: ROHINGYA: UNHCR TO PUSH REGIONAL APPROACH WITH
THAILAND

REF: A. STATE 17836

B. EMAIL HOPKINS-HILGERT/MULREAN (FEBRUARY 27 2009)

C. BANGKOK 595


1. Pascale Moreau, Deputy Director, Asia Bureau, told
Refugee Officer that UNHCR is working closely with Thailand
and other ASEAN governments to address the situation with the
Rohingya boat people. Moreau said that UNHCR is trying to
convince governments not to deport Rohingya as a first
response. UNHCR is also working with the government of
Thailand in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair to promote
dialogue on the Rohingya through the Bali Process. Moreau
said that Thailand has added this topic to the agenda of the
next meeting in Bali on April 15 and that UNHCR will also
participate in the meeting.


2. Janet Lim, UNHCR's Asia Bureau Director, told governments
attending the UNHCR Standing Committee meeting in Geneva
March 3-5, that UNHCR is "promoting a comprehensive regional
approach" to the Rohingya situation in cooperation with
governments in the region through the Bali process.
Thailand, in its response to the Standing Committee, denied
allegations that it had mistreated the boat people and
asserted its right to enforce Thai immigration laws humanely.
Thailand blamed the Rohingya outflux on the poor Burmese
economy and networks of "unscrupulous traffickers." With
that out of the way, Thailand commended UNHCR for its
regional approach and reported that Thailand had already
reached out to affected countries during various meetings in
Bangkok, Brisbane and Bali to promote cooperation. Thailand
concluded by urging UNHCR to mobilize resources for
sustainable livelihoods in Burma's Northern Rakhine State.
The U.S. delegation expressed its support and encouragement
to UNHCR for its efforts in our statement to the Standing
Committee.


STORELLA