WRITTEN QUESTION E-1414/03 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Burma refugee acceptance into Thailand.
Date: 2003-04-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Myanmar/Burma, Thailand, admission of aliens, aid to refugees, international human rights law, refugee, removal

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/29

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The European Council has committed the Union to the territorial integrity of Iraq and respect for the
rights of all Iraqis including those of its minorities. Furthermore, it called on all countries of the region to
refrain from actions that could lead to further instability.
In this respect, any unilateral Turkish
intervention in Iraq would have to be considered in the context of Turkey’s candidate status for EU
accession.

The Commission is aware that Turkey has confirmed its commitment to the territorial integrity of Iraq and
that the Turkish Parliament had authorised the possible deployment of troops in northern Iraq, in order to
defend against attack on its territory, refugees influx and terrorist activities from PKK-KADEK. On 10 April
the United States Secretary of State Colin Powell and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul agreed that the United
States would ensure the Iraqi Kurds did not take control of Kirkuk while Turkey could send a small group
of monitors, to help prevent conflict. This arrangement was proposed as a means to contribute to the
overall stability of the situation.

(2004/C 88 E/0031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1414/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 April 2003)

Subject: Burma refugee acceptance into Thailand

What action is the European Commission taking to urge the Thai authorities to continue to accept
refugees from Burma and not refuse them entry into Thailand or forcibly repatriate them?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2003)

The Thai authorities have, for a number of years now, been providing shelter to about 130 000 displaced
people from Burma/Myanmar, mainly of ethnic minority origin, in camps near the Thai-Burmese border.

The Community provides significant financial support for the maintenance of these refugee camps,
through European non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Its assistance predominantly takes the form of
provision of food and basic goods, as well as medical assistance and training.
In recent years, the
Community has allocated approximately EUR 7 to 7,5 million per year to these activities.

As the single most important donor in the international community, the Commission holds an open
dialogue with the Thai authorities on all questions relating to the latter’s acceptance and treatment of
refugees.

terms,

the Commission expects Thailand to honour

In general
to international
humanitarian standards in dealing with refugees from Burma/Myanmar. This implies the admission of
Burmese refugees into Thai territory, full co-operation with the United Nations High Commission for
Refugees (UNHCR), and repatriation of refugees only on a voluntary basis and conditional on the
improvement of the situation in Burma/Myanmar.

its commitment

The Commission has in the past and again recently expressed to the Thai administration its concerns about
reports concerning the refusal of registration of new Burmese refugees, as well as forced repatriation.

The Commission’s Delegation in Thailand will continue to monitor the situation in co-ordination with the
representatives of the Member States and will recommend possible further actions as appropriate.