Rights groups call for halt to Burmese repatriations, abuses

The workers, in Kayin state through which they are sent back, have had money extorted from them by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which has a stronghold there, the letter said. Many had been "transferred" to labour agencies for later smuggling into Thailand.

Women have been forced or lured into prostitution, while many men are made to work as porters for the Burmese military, said the letter, which was signed jointly by Human Rights Watch and the influential State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation of Thailand.

Thailand is overhauling its immigrant labour industry by registering those lawfully hired by Thai employers, and sending home those not registered by a February 28 deadline. Those missing the deadline are sent home through the Burmese town of Myawaddy, in Kayin state across the Moei River from Mae Sot, Tak province, with cooperation from Rangoon.

Among the many violations of the workers' human rights, mainly by the DKBA, are torture, assaults, brutal acts and violation of human dignity, said the letter. It also claimed that sweep arrests and repatriation of workers were not effective, and had instead driven those missing the registration into hiding and to continue working illegally in Thailand.

The groups called on the Thai government to investigate violation of the workers' human rights and punish officials found guilty. Also, repatriation should cease immediately until the verification of claims about the violations is complete, and Thai officials should stop sweep searches and arrests and reopen nationwide registration.