Image of Wilson Chowdhry gifting our BPCA report to Peter Trotter (Senior Protection Officer at Thai UNHCR)
A few weeks ago we were contacted by the wife of a Mr Noshad Young complaining that here husband had been re-arrested on 26th May 2016 and detained
in Thailand’s Immigration Detention Centre despite having existing ratified bail papers.
Apparently Noshad had been released on bail from 5th August 2015 for an earlier period of detention after paying a fine of £1000. The earlier
period of detention had begun when he was arrested 15th July 2015. His son was later arrested on 21st October 2015.
Victoria the wife of Noshad was extremely upset and wanted help to have him re-released, as Noshad had a long term heart condition, which was why he
had been able to secure bail for his release from the IDC originally. She was surprised and somewhat shocked at the failure by Royal Thai authorities
to adhere to their own guidelines and policy – which states that those on bail have a two year protection from re-arrest.
Watch BBC documentary on persecution of Pakistani Christians in Thailand (click here).
Noshad had not breached any of his bail conditions but had simply been seen visiting the IDC regularly to visit his son who remained in incarceration.
Apparently wardens at the IDC took offence from his frequent trips to the IDC volunteering for churches and charities so that he could also see his
son Haroon, and his incessant lingering outside the IDC from which he would wave to his son when not permitted to visit. On one occasion bemused by
Noshad’s passion for his son, a sullen warden ripped apart his bail paper and reported him to police at the IDC. Police arrested him and detained
him, in what was to all intents and purposes an illegal act based on prejudice.
Noshad Young
Victoria asked BPCA to help pursue the release of Noshad and we partnered with “Responsible for Equality And Liberty”(REAL) to release an international petition to put pressure on the UNHCR and Royal Thai Authority.The petition gained over 500 signatures on it’s first day
(click here)
Our Chairman Wilson Chowdhry contacted Peter Trotter a senior protection officer for the UNHCR. Peter Trotter assured us that he would investigate
the matter. Since then we have been advised by the family that Noshad has been given access to essential medication and professional healthcare.
Noshad’s health is now said to be stable and he is eating well again.
However Noshad still remains incarcerated in the Bangkok IDC. A UNHCR legal advisor is working towards a potential bail application for Noshad
Young. However Victoria has now intimated that the family are thinking of returning back to Pakistan. The family feel that any further
delay could mean the immediate death of Noshad. As frighted as the family are of returning to Pakistan they believe the declining health of Noshad
leaves them with no option.
Wilson Chowdhry Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said:
“We are grateful to all of those who signed our petition we believe every signature contributed to savings Noshad’s life. The response from the UNHCR was both quick and efficient an they deserve great praise for their efforts. Evidently the Royal Thai Government have little love for asylum seekers in their country. Their cruel treatment of Noshad a doting father who was suffering rapidly deteriorating health, is indicative of the brutality those escaping persecution will face in Thailand. There failure to respond to our call for help illustrates the low worth they have placed on the lives of refugees. In my opinion holiday-makers should boycott Thailand until the nation can prove they are a country worthy of a visit by respecting international human rights conventions.”
He added:
“The bottom line here is the UNHCR has offered a lifeline to a victim close to death, while the Royal Thai Government have only exhibited insouciance. UNHCR’s efforts to help victims in Thailand led to them gaining a grant for 300,000 euros which they are already using to reduce the backlog of asylum and refugee applications in Thailand. The current delay is debilitating and can extend to 6 years or over but UNHCR are attempting to resolve this. Genuine refugees will now experience a more expeditious ‘refugee determination status’ process over the next six months.”
Read about UNHCR grant (click here)
BPCA are extremely grateful to Thailand UNHCR and thank them for their help. We will be delivering a free copy of our latest report on the plight of
Pakistani Christians especially those in Thailand. We hope they will use our research to prove the need for further international grants to help
reduce the existing application backlog.
Please sign our petition (click here)
Please Pray:
That Pak-Christians would be safe and find shelter in Thailand without fear of arrest or mistreatment
For their daily food and shelter and for medical needs to be met
That God would intervene and that Thai authorities would recognise Pakistani Christians asylum seekers
For education to be available to the children and the teachers to be safe from arrest
If you feel led to help these suffering brothers and sisters in Thailand, then please (click here) or use these bank details:
Sort Code: 20-44-22
Account number: 43163318
Bank: Barclays
Ref: Love for brothers and sisters in Thailand
If you would like donate using PayPal our PayPal email address is: info@britishpakistanichristians.co.uk.
Any cheques should be made payable to the BPCA to our address: 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XG.