Deteriorating health of detained Pak-Christian asylum seeker in Bangkok creates international concern

British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) and Responsible for Equality And Liberty (REAL) this morning received a communication from the beleaguered
 Pakistan Christian refugee community in Thailand, naming Noshad Young a seriously ill detainees in the Bangkok Immigration Detention
Center, who needs urgent hospital treatment. 

 

Our contacts in the refugee community state that Mr. Noshad Young is seeking medical treatment. They are reporting that Noshad Young is a heart
patient, whose health has been deteriorating over the past month. They are reporting that he has been unable to eat for days, has blisters
in his mouth, and is suffering from continuous anal discharge. His family tells the refugee community that his health is in serious jeopardy
at this time.

Our sources in the refugee community state that Mr. Young was taken into custody two and a half months ago, when he went to the immigration detention
center to see his son. The reports state that he was taken into custody and his bail was cancelled without notification.

Zahid Younas an asylum seeker spoke with the BPCA, he said:

Noshad Young (52 years) is one of the many Christians who fled the persecuted the faced in Pakistan because of adherrance to the Christian
faith. He arrived in Thailand in 2013 along with his family and applied for asylum through a legal process in any other country.  However,
as Thailand refuses to sign UN conventions for asylum his official status with the Royal Thai Government is ‘visa overstayer’ despite having
registered under the UNHCR process and having official documents. With no access to employment, healthcare, education or any other statutory
provision – life is harsh for asylum seekers.  However, when arrested and incarcerated in the brutal IDC, ‘harsh’ takes on a more sinister
meaning.  Detainees in the IDC suffer malnutrition, serious hygiene issues, spread of infections, bullying and harassment, loss of freedom
and 200 are cramped into rooms that can fit only 100 inmates – meaning detainees are forced to sleep crouching, over one another or in many
cases standing up.

Sadly for Noshad he and his eldest son were arrested by immigration authorities in 2015, whilst being extorted, working illegally for a pittance
just to survive. 

However he was freed on bail after his bail fees of 50,000 baht (£1000) was paid, however his son was left detained in immigration as only
the frail, and women with children detained with them were being released.

Concerned about his son the father visited the IDC as often as he could.  Safe in the knowledge that the bail fee he had paid, provided
a two year protection from re-arrest – or so he thought.  Until that is, two and a half months ago the Royal Thai authorities reneged
on their committment and arrested him, even though he had not violated any conditions of his bail.

Today his son who is detained in the IDC and his family have been informed about Noshad´s deteriorating health. His son believes Noshad is
on the verge of death if he is not transferred immediately to hospital. Noshad has allegedly not eaten any food for the last 3 to 4 days, he
is feeling extremely week and suffering from diarrhea.

Noshad’s 68 year old mother, his wife and three children are extremely worried about his health, as he has a serious heart condition. His close
friend and also an asylum seeker Zahid Younas, spoke with the BPCA, he said:

“For the last month Noshad’s health  has reached a very critical stage. He is eating extremely small amounts, has blisters in his mouth, is suffering from constipation and has described severe pains in the region of his heart.  The whole Pakistani Christian asylum seeker is concerned for his health and we are praying for his release and receipt of medical attention.”

British Pakistani Christian Association and REAL have launched a petition.  They are calling for protection of Noshad by the UNHCR and
adherence to the many UN conventions that the Royal Thai Government (RTG) are party to. The UN Declaration for Human Rights provides protection
to asylum seekers and the RTG have also ratified conventions against cruelty and torture.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said:

“In last 3 years 15 Pakistani Christians have lost their lives in Bangkok, the majority of them whilst in captivity in the countries notorious Immigration Detention Centre.  I traveled with Chris Rogers of the BBC and helped him expose the brutal treatment of Pakistani Christian asylum seekers who make up the largest proportion of illegal ‘visa overstayers’ in Thailand.  Sadly despite revealing the re-persecution faced by an estimated 7000 Pak-Christians to the world, both the Thai authorities and UNHCR continue to ignore their plight. More deaths will ensue unless the existing insouciance is removed.” 

Both groups are urging people in the west to contact the UNHCR Thailand office and the Thailand Embassy in their respective nations to get help
for this refugee in the Immigration Detention Centre and to ensure he receives adequate medical treatment.  They are also seeking signatures
on a petition launched today.

Please sign our petition (click here)

You can reach the UNHCR Thailand office at:

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR Regional Representative in Thailand

3rd Floor, United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand

Telephone: 66 2 288 1858

FAX: 66 2 280 0555

Email: thaba@unhcr.org