Amnesty International is calling on Southeast Asian governments to follow the Philippines Government's commitment to no longer use violent methods to force failed Vietnamese asylum-seekers to return to Viet Nam.
Asylum-seekers who have yet to sign up for voluntary repatriation are being treated ever more harshly across Southeast Asia. The organization has received reports of worsening conditions in the refugee camps as basic services are removed by the authorities.
"People have been shot, beaten, forced to sleep outside without shelter, and have had only partial access to fair refugee status determination procedure," Amnesty International said.
"The decision of the Philippines Government to call a halt to this situation shows there is another way. There is now no excuse for other governments in the region and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) not to follow their lead."
Amnesty International calls on other governments in the region to ensure that measures taken in relation with the Vietnamese asylum-seekers do not lead to ill-treatment.
Following consultations with the Roman Catholic Church, the Philippines government announced on Thursday (Feb. 29) that such methods will no longer be employed against failed asylum-seekers in the country.
"The courageous decision of the Philippines Government to uphold the rights and dignity of failed asylum seekers in keeping with international standards sets a positive precedence in the region."
"Ill-treatment of failed asylum-seekers either in the camps or during the repatriation process is not acceptable," Amnesty International said.