General Chaowalit Yongchaiyut
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House
Nakhorn Pathom Road
Bangkok 10300, Thailand

Dear Prime Minister:

I wish to express my concern regarding recent reports that Thai authorities have begun to forcibly return to Myanmar a large number of Karen refugees who had been staying at refugee camps in your country. Surely you know that returning them to Myanmar exposes them to great danger at the hands of the Burmese military.

I am also concerned that the so-called "safe corridor" where large numbers of the refugees are being held in Thailand cannot truly be considered safe and secure, given the movements of the Burmese army.

Your Excellency, I am sure you are aware that the Royal Thai Government is bound by the internationally-recognized principle of non-refoulement which prohibits states from returning refugees against their will to countries where they risk serious human rights violations. Therefore, I urge you to ensure that the Karen refugees in Thailand are granted all necessary protection by your government and will no longer be forcibly returned to Myanmar.

In recent years your country has provided safety and protection to tens of thousands of Burmese refugees fleeing conflict and human rights violations in their own country. Please do not change that policy now.

Respectfully yours,