Caritas Thailand to help the Rohingya fleeing violence and persecution
11Sept.2013: Caritas Thailand is continuing to help the Rohingya - Burmese Muslims
fleeing violence and persecution. With the end of the monsoon season and improved
sea conditions, Caritas Thailand has warned that a mass exodus of minority Rohingya
Muslims could resume on the country's coasts. Although Bangkok has repeatedly branded
the refugees as "illegal immigrants," leaving them in the open sea, or repatriating
them to Myanmar with the risk of renewed persecution, Catholic volunteers have instead
launched a number of assistance and relief programmes. Caritas Thailand secretary
general Fr Sriparasert said that the Rohingya are a "burning issue" issue for the
Thai government and for "all the nations of South East Asia." Many of the refugees
have sought asylum in Malaysia, a country with a large Muslim majority, where they
hope to be treated better than in Bangladesh or Thailand. To date, Fr Sriparasert
told Catholic News Agency (CNA), "more than 2,000 Rohingya are being held in different
centres" scattered throughout Thailand. He said in many cases they are deprived of
basic rights guaranteed by the International Convention on Refugees. For this reason,
Caritas Thailand, in collaboration with the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and
Services (COERR), has undertaken a series of initiatives that include health support,
nutrition and social development in various diocesan centres. According to United
Nations estimates, there are at least 800,000 Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Source:
Asianews