Thai police raid NGOs

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
August 21, 2003

The National Catholic Commission on Migration (NCCM), a religious organisation that has been helping Burmese migrant workers in Bangkok, was raided on 19 August by the Thai police. A Burmese woman was arrested and deported to Myawady on the Thailand-Burma border.

The Burmese woman, identified as Ma Nyo Nyo Lwin (21), came to Thailand a year ago expecting to find a job, but unfortunately was deceived by brokers resulting to her being forced to work as a housemaid with out any pay. Having fled work three (3) days prior, she was caught by the Thai police while approaching the NCCM to meet survival needs.

NCCM has been assisting Burmese migrants who are in Thailand for a variety of reasons.

Thai authorities recently started raiding the NCCM office following an accusation by the Burmese Military Junta that the NCCM was supporting pro-democracy activists demonstrating outside the Burmese Embassy.

The Thai authorities are restricting the work of many NGOs, especially those that are helping Burmese migrants. Another organisation named Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) also reported frequent raids by the Thai authorities.