OTTAWA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on
Wednesday it had registered serious concern with Thailand and
China over a decision by Bangkok to send back to China two
Chinese refugees who were awaiting resettlement in Canada.
The two Chinese men were under the protection of the U.N.
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said Francois Lasalle,
spokesman for Canada's foreign ministry.
"We have expressed serious concerns with both countries,
including our deep disappointment that the individuals were sent
by Thai authorities back to China despite being in possession
of UNHCR protection documents," Lasalle said.
The Thai junta knew that two Chinese men it detained were
refugees awaiting resettlement in Canada but still deported them
to China, according to a United Nations letter seen by Reuters.
The letter, reported on by Reuters on Nov. 30 contradicts
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's statement last month
that Thailand "did not know" that the men were under UNHCR
protection.
Military-ruled Thailand arrested the men, Jiang Yefei and
Dong Guangping, on Oct. 28 and deported them at Beijing's
request in mid-November.
In the letter, dated Nov. 16, the UNHCR raised its
objections to the deportations and reminded the Thai foreign
ministry that it had informed the government in writing on Nov.
10 that the men were refugees and had been accepted for rapid
resettlement by Canada.