Thaw Nandar Aung, a mannequin from Myanmar speaks to a reporter in Bangkok, Thailand on March 31, 2021.
Credit score: AP Picture/Napaxalun Sattayatam, File
A style mannequin from Myanmar who has spoken out in regards to the nation’s repressive navy authorities arrived yesterday in Canada after the nation granted her political asylum.
Thaw Nandar Aung, also referred to as Han Lay, left on a flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport early on Wednesday morning, The Related Press reported, citing a senior official at Thailand’s Immigration Bureau. The 23-year-old “has arrived safely in Toronto,” Tin Maung Htoo of the Burmese Canadian Motion Community confirmed to Agence France-Presse yesterday.
Han Lay made headlines in March of final 12 months when she urged the world to “save” her nation whereas in Bangkok competing within the Miss Grand Worldwide contest – changing into considered one of many Myanmar nationals who’ve left or remained outdoors the nation. “I wish to say from right here to the world: please help the Myanmar individuals,” she informed Thailand’s Khaosod English information outlet on the time. “So many individuals die in Myanmar by the weapons of the navy … Please save us.”
After that, she remained in Thailand and utilized for political asylum, residing on a vacationer visa whereas the native workplace of the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) processed her declare.
However Han Lay’s future was solid into doubt on September 22, when she was detained at Suvarnabhumi airport after getting back from a visa run to Vietnam. Thai immigration authorities launched an announcement saying that Han Lay was “denied entry to Thailand as a result of she lacked the required journey paperwork beneath Thai immigration regulation.” This raised fears that she could be extradited to Myanmar, the place she would virtually actually face harsh remedy by the hands of the navy junta.
In September 2021, Thaw Nandar Thaw was reportedly charged in absentia with sedition for talking out towards the navy junta. The statute criminalizes makes an attempt to “deliver into hatred or contempt, or excite or try and excite disaffection in the direction of the federal government,” and the navy or its personnel, and carries a most penalty of 20 years in jail. Because the rights group Amnesty Worldwide famous on the time, “Critics of Myanmar’s navy have been arbitrarily detained, tortured and killed in detention. These are the true dangers confronted by anybody who highlights, exposes and paperwork the appalling human rights abuses for the reason that coup.”
One other worldwide advocacy group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), accused the Myanmar navy authorities of revoking her passport in a bid to deprive her of citizenship, and doubtlessly drive the Thai authorities to deport her from the nation. Over the previous 19 months, the navy junta has carried out the identical with numerous opponents of the regime who’ve fled into exile, casting them into statelessness as a punishment for opposing the regime.
“There is no such thing as a doubt that what transpired was a lure to attempt to drive Han Lay to return to Myanmar, the place she would have confronted speedy arrest, doubtless abuse in detention, and imprisonment,” Phil Robertson, HRW’s deputy Asia director informed The Related Press. “Luckily, she bought good recommendation to remain put on the airport, and look forward to the form of safety she wanted. This was a victory for rights, and refugee safety.”
In an interview with Radio Free Asia revealed on September 27, Han Lay confirmed that she had been granted asylum in Canada, and pledged to “stick with it the wrestle for Myanmar” from overseas.
“I’ve spoken out for Myanmar wherever I am going,” she informed the U.S.-funded broadcaster. “I’ve talked to the media about my nation whereas I used to be staying in Thailand. Since Canada is a protected place for me, I’ll have extra alternatives to talk out on the problem. And as you understand, there’s a massive Myanmar neighborhood in Canada, so I’m positive I’ll be capable of stick with it the wrestle for Myanmar with their assist.”
