Anti-junta fighter killed during deportation from Thailand to Myanmar

One of three Burmese armed resistance fighters who sought medical attention in Thailand died when Thai authorities handed them over to junta authorities en route to Myanmar, Radio Free Asia has learned.

The incident prompted Thailand’s opposition Commons Party to condemn the Thai government on Monday for cooperating with Myanmar’s military regime in what it called a violation of national and international law.

The three members of the anti-junta People’s Defense Force entered the Thai border town of Mae Sot, opposite Myawaddy in Myanmar’s Kayin State, on April 1 seeking medical treatment, but were arrested by authorities. Thai women at the Thai-Myanmar border immigration gate. On the morning of April 4, they were sent back across the border to Myanmar’s Karen Border Guard Force, who arrested them and transferred them into the custody of junta troops.

After their deportation, reports surfaced that the three PDF members, Thiha, the deputy platoon commander of the Leon Battalion, and fighters Htet Nay Win and Saw Phyo Lay, died in junta captivity.

On Monday, Lion Battalion spokesman Anyar Thar told RFA that Saw Phyo Lay was shot while trying to escape during the handover and later died of his wounds. The status of the other two men remained unclear.

“When (the PDF fighters) found out that they were being handed over to the BGF (Border Guard Forces), they jumped out of the boat that was transporting them,” he said.

“Troops from both sides fired at them. (Saw Phyo Lay) who was about to die (from his injuries) was even handcuffed, put back on the boat and sent to the GDB. This shows how good relations are between the GDB and the Thai authorities.”

Anyar Thar said Thiha and Htet Nay Win have been sent to the junta’s South East Regional Military Headquarters based in the city of Mawlamyine in Mon state.

Neither the junta nor the Karen Border Guard have released any news about the incident and FRG attempts to contact Colonel Saw Chit Thu, head of the Myanmar Border Guard Force, went unanswered on Monday.

Opposition condemnation

On Monday, the opposition Commons Party of Thailand issued a statement criticizing the Thai government for collaborating with the Myanmar junta and accusing it of committing an “inhumane act” by helping the junta commit “war crimes.” .

The statement also called on Thailand’s Immigration Department to publicly clarify why it violated national and international laws by repatriating PDF fighters after they entered Thailand seeking medical care.

“I do not accept the Thai government’s policy towards Myanmar’s anti-junta activists and refugee claimants,” Commons Party spokesman Kornkanok Khamta told RFA Burmese. “The government is sending them back to unsafe places. We all have to show that we are one with the Myanmar people.”

When asked about the Thai government’s response to the Commons Party’s statement, Kornkanok Khamta said none was provided.

“They also quietly neglect the statements of other organizations,” he said.

RFA’s attempts to contact Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kanchana Patarachoke went unanswered on Monday.

Human rights groups have also called on the Thai government to examine its immigration department’s handling of the three resistance fighters.

Speaking to RFA, Patrick Phongsathorn, a legal expert with the NGO Fortify Rights, urged the Thai government to investigate the situation as soon as possible and prosecute the officer responsible for deporting PDF members under Thailand’s anti-torture law.

fearful refugees

Previously, Thai authorities arrested Myanmar nationals seeking refuge in Thailand after fleeing fighting between the army and anti-junta forces and warned them to abide by Thai law, but allowed them to stay mostly on humanitarian grounds. .

A Myanmar refugee in Thailand named Nikki told RFA members of the Burmese community are now concerned for their safety after the three PDF fighters were arrested and returned across the border.

“This incident has seriously scared the Burmese who are taking refuge in Thailand,” he said.

“We are too scared to even go out and buy food. Thai police regularly arrest Burmese refugees in Mae Sot, targeting undocumented and political refugees.”

The reports of the deportation came amid an April 5-8 attack by a combined force of the Karen National Liberation Army and the Lion Battalion against Karen Border Guard Force and military bases. located north of Myawaddy.

Although details of the attacks were not immediately clear, injuries were reported and nearly 10,000 area residents are believed to have fled the fighting for safety.

Some of the anti-junta fighters injured in the battle were taken to the Thai side of the border on April 9 and later arrested by Thai police.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Matt Reed.