This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7857635.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UN urges Thailand refugee inquiry UN urges Thailand refugee inquiry
(about 13 hours later)
The United Nations has urged Thailand to launch a full inquiry into claims that their military mistreated hundreds of Burmese migrants. The United Nations has urged Thailand to launch a full inquiry into claims their military mistreated hundreds of ethnic Rohingya migrants from Burma.
Thailand has promised an investigation - but the UN expressed doubts over its transparency as it is to be led by the military unit accused of the abuse. Thailand has promised an investigation but the UN expressed doubts over its transparency as it is to be led by the military unit accused of the abuse.
Rohingya washed up in Indonesia and elsewhere have said the Thai military beat them and sent them back to sea.Rohingya washed up in Indonesia and elsewhere have said the Thai military beat them and sent them back to sea.
It is thought almost 1,000 have been set adrift - with hundreds feared dead.It is thought almost 1,000 have been set adrift - with hundreds feared dead.
A group of 78 Rohingya landed in Thailand two days ago and, according to reports, many of them appeared in court on Wednesday for entering Thailand illegally.A group of 78 Rohingya landed in Thailand two days ago and, according to reports, many of them appeared in court on Wednesday for entering Thailand illegally.
'Thorough, fast'
They are likely to be deported back to Burma, where they face persecution from the authorities.They are likely to be deported back to Burma, where they face persecution from the authorities.
The regional head of the UN's refugee agency, Raymond Hall, asked for permission to see the latest group of migrants - but so far the Thai authorities have not given it. 'Good co-operation'
And he also expressed concern about the terms of the inquiry promised by the Bangkok government. UN refugee agency officials were allowed to meet 12 minors, aged between 14 and 17, from the latest group of migrants on Thursday.
"I think it's the transparency of the investigation, but I think also the speed of the investigation - it needs to be thorough and it needs to be fast," he said. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7847370.stm">No honeymoon for Thai PM class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7839703.stm">Agents exploit boat-people misery class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7832947.stm">Survivor's ordeal on Andaman Sea
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7847370.stm">No honeymoon for Thai PM class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7839703.stm">Agents exploit boat-people misery class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7832947.stm">Survivor's ordeal on Andaman Sea Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya defended the decision to allow the military to investigate. "They were in good condition," said Kitty McKinsey, UNHCR Asia spokeswoman.
"It's a big step forward that we have gotten access to them. We're now getting good co-operation from the Thai government to solve this issue."
She added that she would discuss the UN's findings with the Thai authorities before publicising them but reaffirmed the UNHCR's demand for Thailand not to return them to Burma forcibly.
Many of the 78 people were badly scarred from beatings they said they had received from Burmese troops.
They are being handled by the police and immigration - unlike the Rohingyas who arrived last month and were detained on an island by the Thai military before reportedly being set adrift at sea in barges with no engines and little food or water.
Burmese denial
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya defended the decision to allow the military to investigate.
"Well it's our internal arrangement, and then if the military investigation is not satisfactory we can set up another group to do it," he said."Well it's our internal arrangement, and then if the military investigation is not satisfactory we can set up another group to do it," he said.
Senior military officers have previously denied such mistreatment was even possible, and have accused the foreign media of trying to tarnish Thailand's international image.Senior military officers have previously denied such mistreatment was even possible, and have accused the foreign media of trying to tarnish Thailand's international image.
Our correspondent in Thailand, Jonathan Head, says the issue has been a public relations disaster for the new government - which has been unable to offer a clear response to the international community.Our correspondent in Thailand, Jonathan Head, says the issue has been a public relations disaster for the new government - which has been unable to offer a clear response to the international community.
He says that based on previous practice, it is unlikely any military personnel would be held accountable. He says that based on previous practice, it is unlikely any military personnel will be held accountable.
The Rohingya are fleeing their home country, where they are denied citizenship by the government.The Rohingya are fleeing their home country, where they are denied citizenship by the government.
Many of the refugees claim to have been beaten and whipped by Burmese soldiers before they left as a warning not to go back. An unnamed Burmese official told the AFP news agency on Thursday that there was no evidence to suggest the Rohingya were even from his country.
But an unnamed Burmese official told the AFP news agency on Thursday that there was no evidence to suggest the Rohingya were even from his country.
"There is no so-called Rohingya ethnic minority group in our history before or after our independence," he said."There is no so-called Rohingya ethnic minority group in our history before or after our independence," he said.
"It is totally unacceptable to say the Rohingya are from Myanmar [Burma].""It is totally unacceptable to say the Rohingya are from Myanmar [Burma]."