ALTENATIVES OF DURABLE SOLUTION FOR REFUGEES FROM MYANMAR IN THAILAND: POLICIES FOR REPATRIATION AND RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMMES

Abstract

The protracted refugee situation of almost three decades has its root causes in human rights violations due to the internal conflict between the ethnic minority groups and the Myanmar government which have still continued in some border areas since 1984. Albeit some sign in attempting to approach the peaceful reconciliation through the regional dynamism to Myanmar in transition, The protracted refugee situation of displaced person from Myanmar constitutes a significant challenge to both human rights and national and human security concern. The objective of the research was undertaken as an attempt to understand how all parties of stakeholders and displaced persons from Myanmar view their involvement of protracted situation conditioned with some factors in effort to reach the durable solutions; and how they envisages the future both in term of policy implementation and roles and practices; and which option or alternative of durable solutions ever became possible, what challenges would make it sustainable and durable. Methodologically, 135 displaced persons were interviewed and participated Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in Mae La, Mae La Oon, Mae La Ma Luang Temporary Shelters, respectively located in Tak and Mae Hong Son Provinces. The perspectives of many stakeholders: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Thai authorities, Myanmar authorities, community leaders of displaced persons and displaced persons, were also explored through interviews with key informants in Bangkok and Temporary Shelters.