Dear Friends,
Regarding our earlier forwarded appeal on the crackdown on Burmese dissidents and pro-democracy activists in Thailand, we are again requesting you to take action to prevent the arrested persons from being forcibly repatriated to the Burmese military regime.
According to news reports, the Thai authorities have officially announced that they sent them all back, regardless of status. And, more seriously, Forum-Asia has insisted that 14 activists had already managed to sneak back to Burma and that further similar crackdowns on other activists in the border areas are expected in order for the Thai authorities to prepare for Thai-Burmese talks scheduled for early next month.
The lives of the arrested persons are at a critical moment. One can predict that if they are sent back, they will be detained and tortured, and some of them will be killed, by the Burmese military government. Only your action can save their lives. Please urgently send your appeal to the Thai government.
If you need more detailed information, please visit http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2002/291/
SUGGESTED ACTION
Please send a letter by fax or e-mail to urge Thailand’s prime minister, interior minister and foreign minister, to drop their decision to forcibly repatriate the arrested and to undertake further crackdowns on other activists.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear
Re: The arrest and repatriation of the Burmese dissidents and pro-democracy activists
I am seriously concerned that the Thai government has arrested Burmese dissidents and pro-democracy activists who have defected from the Burmese military regime and has charged them with illegal entry. Furthermore, I am shocked that Thai authorities have decided to send them back to Burma.
I am sure if they are sent back, they will be detained and tortured, and some of them will be killed, by the Burmese military regime. This means that the lives of the arrested are in your hands. Therefore, I strongly request you to drop this serious decision and to save their lives, and to suspend any planned crackdown on other activists in the border areas, which is widely expected. Otherwise, the international community will condemn your government and your national image could also be seriously hurt.
I look forward to hearing your humanitarian response.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Thaksin Shinwatra
Prime Minister
Government house,
Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District,
Bangkok 10300
THAILAND
Fax: +66 2 282 8631
Email: govspkman@mozart.inet.co.th
SALUTATION: Dear Prime Minister
2. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sri Ayudhya Rd.,
Bangkok 10400,
THAILAND
Tel: +662 643-5333
Fax: +662 643-5320
Email: off0100@mfa.go.th
SALUTATION: Dear Minister
3. HE Purachai Piumsombun
Minister
Ministry of Interior
Thanon Atsadang
Bangkok 10200
THAILAND
Fax: +662 226-4371
Email: webteam@moi.go.th
SALUTATION: Dear Minister
SEND COPIES TO:
United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (Thailand office)
Regional Representative
P.O. Box 2-121,
Rajdamnern Avenue,
Bangkok 10200
THAILAND
Fax: +662 280-0555; 281-6100
Email: thaba@unhcr.th
