Reports on major changes in the situation of Burmese migrant workers, as described in THA43331.FE of 20 January 2005, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Several sources reiterated that since the tsunami of 26 December 2004, Thai authorities have not aided communities of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand (The Nation 22 Jan. 2005); these workers were also reportedly negelcted by the government of Myanmar (Independent Media Center 23 Jan. 2005; AP 22 Jan. 2005). In addition, since numerous legal migrant workers from Myanmar lost their identity documents during the tsunami, many avoid going to mortuaries to identify loved ones (Independent Media Center 23 Jan. 2005), for fear of arrest by Thai authorities (AP 22 Jan. 2005). The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) added that many of those found without proper documentation are being forcibly deported to Myanmar (22 Jan. 2005), which "only allow[s] a small number of people to come inside of the country" (Independent Media Center 23 Jan. 2005). Amnesty International indicated that it is "investigating reports of harassment by the Thai police of Burmese migrants who have lost their identity cards" (n.d.).

The Associated Press (AP) also mentioned attacks by Thai residents on Burmese migrants who were receiving aid from an American relief agency (22 Jan. 2005).

Without referring specifically to the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami, an article in the Bangkok Post mentioned reports of mistreatment of Burmese workers in Thailand, including murder, molestation, and rape, although this report could not be corroborated among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate (23 Jan. 2005).

One source consulted highlighted the concerns of child welfare groups, including UNICEF, about the danger that Thai children orphaned by the 26 December 2004 tsunami could fall victim to exploitation in the forms of forced labour or sexual abuse (AP 13 Jan. 2005).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Amnesty International (AI). n.d. "Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami: Human Rights at Risk in the Aftermath." http://web.amnesty.org/pages/tsunami2-eng [Accessed 26 Jan. 2005]

Associated Press (AP). 22 January 2005. Rungrawee C. Pinyorat. "Migrant Workers from Myanmar Become Forgotten Victims of Thailand's Tsunami." (Dialog)

_____. 13 January 2005. Miranda Leitsinger. "Pop Star Ricky Martin Visits Tsunami-Shattered Southern Thailand, Calls for Protection of Orphans." (Dialog)

Bangkok Post. 23 January 2005. Supamart Kasem. "Economic Zone Could Worsen Labour Abuses." http://archives.mybangkokpost.com/bkkarchives/frontstore/news_detail.html?aid [Accessed 26 Jan. 2005]

Independent Media Center. 23 January 2005. "Tsunami Devastates Migrant Workers and Villages from Burma." http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/01/112810.shtml [Accessed 27 Jan. 2005]

The Nation [Bangkok]. 22 January 2005. Pravit Rojanaphruk. "Help Burmese Migrants, Says Rights Body." http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/01/22/national/index.php?news=national_16160190.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2005]

Internet sites, including: BBC, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Inter Press Service (IPS), ReliefWeb, UNICEF, United Nations News Service, World Food Programme (WFP).