The The absence of legal recognition and its impact on the living conditions of urban Pakistani refugees in Bangkok

Jesper Kulvmann

doi:10.19184/jseahr.v1i1.5309

Abstract

Recently, an increasing number of refugees originating from non-neighbouring countries have arrived in Bangkok seeking asylum at UNHCR. As Thailand does not recognize their refugee status and by so their human rights guaranteed in the Declarations of Human Rights, this group of people, referred to as urban refugees, remain in Bangkok illegally during the application process and until possible resettlement. This study examines how restrictions of their human rights, such as absent of fear of arrest, right to work, access to proper housing, education and health provisions, and a prolonged application process affect the physical and mental health of urban refugees. Data are gathered from semi-structured interviews of 53 Pakistani refugees and officers at organisations working with refugees. Depression and declining physical health are common complains while refugee children fail to enrol in formal education. Considering the lack of support for a human rights dialogue in the Thai society it is recommended that a more pragmatic approach, not employing a human rights narrative, is applied to promote the living conditions for urban refugees living in Bangkok.

Highlights

The current international refugee crisis has tested nations’ commitment to international treaties that protect refugees
The majority enters as asylum seekers, who will have to prove their need of asylum before they may qualify for permanent protection of the host country and obtain refugee status
Most refugees with an illegal status live in designated refugee camps, but a growing number lives outside those confinements and they are referred to as urban refugees

Summary

Introduction

The current international refugee crisis has tested nations’ commitment to international treaties that protect refugees. The uncertainty of the faith of asylum seekers is even more perturbing in countries that do not recognize people’s right to apply for asylum In these countries refugees may approach regional offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to obtain UN refugee status that entitles the refuges to resettlement in a third country. In such an environment the safety of the refugees is not secured by national law, but rather by the commitment of governments to observe Human Rights. Most refugees with an illegal status live in designated refugee camps, but a growing number lives outside those confinements and they are referred to as urban refugees. Due to their undocumented status they are living as disenfranchised noncitizens and in fear of the authorities

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Discussion

Conclusion