October 29, 2024 – Thousands of Pakistani Christian families fleeing severe religious persecution are stranded in Thailand, a country with strict immigration laws that does not recognize asylum seekers, forcing them to live as undocumented immigrants. These families, some of whom have lived in Thailand for over a decade, endure extreme hardship while waiting for a chance to secure safe futures in welcoming countries.
In Thailand, where there are no formal systems to support or even recognize asylum seekers, these families suffer from inadequate financial resources, lack of food, no employment opportunities, and limited medical support. Without access to education for their children, they face daily stress, fear of deportation, and profound mental health struggles. Thai immigration law is stringent, and those without valid visas are subject to arrest and detention in the Immigration Detention Center (IDC) or even criminal jail. Royal Thai Immigration Police conduct frequent raids, stopping individuals on the streets, searching condos, and workplaces. Recently, in September, 15 Christian asylum seekers were detained, and in a separate incident, a family of five was arrested and detained at the IDC.
In response to recent police raids, many asylum seekers have stopped going to work, heightening their struggle to secure basic necessities. To alleviate some of this hardship, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) continues to provide financial assistance to 10 Christian asylum-seeking families in Thailand on October 29, 2024. Each family received 1000 baht (£25), which will aid in covering rent, purchasing groceries, or buying essentials like medicine and milk for their children.
“We are thankful to BACA for giving us £25,” said Victor Rehmat, one of the beneficiaries. “It helps us buy our food and meet other urgent needs.” Another beneficiary, Komal Aneeka, shared that she had been unable to buy milk for her daughter until receiving the assistance. Erum, another recipient, emphasized the critical role this support plays in ensuring she can feed her family.
But our aid efforts extend even further: we have also begun delivering food to the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok, where around 20 Christians are currently detained. Many of these individuals are awaiting funds to pay bail fines, while others remain trapped due to not holding UNHCR-approved asylum or refugee status. This lack of recognition often stems from the persistent misconception that Pakistani Christians can simply relocate to a safer city within Pakistan if they face persecution, a narrative that continues to block asylum for genuine victims. Unfortunately, this number of detainees is rising as the Royal Thai Government intensifies its raids, and local media increasingly portrays asylum seekers in a negative light.
During our food deliveries, our volunteers interact directly with detainees (some not pictured), offering a crucial opportunity for detainees to connect with new faces and pass along messages to their families. They also allow detainees to temporarily escape the severely overcrowded conditions in which over 100 people are packed into a space meant for 40, forcing many to sleep in overlapping rows. This small reprieve supports the fragile mental health of those already traumatized by persecution. Along with each food parcel, we share a Bible excerpt, and our volunteers offer prayers with the detainees, bringing moments of peace and spiritual comfort in a deeply challenging environment.
BACA remains committed to supporting persecuted Christian communities and calls on the global community to urgently address the situation in Thailand, where countless asylum seekers are stranded without hope or a clear future. You can help us continue and expand these monthly grants and food supplies by donating (here).
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said: “The plight of UN-registered asylum seekers and refugees in Thailand is utterly appalling and unacceptable in our modern world, especially when most nations, including Thailand, have ratified UN Conventions on Human Rights,” states Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association.
“Pakistani Christians fleeing brutal persecution at home face only further suffering abroad. In Thailand, they are trapped in abject poverty, with no rights to work, education, or basic healthcare, living in constant fear of raids and detention. The delays in their asylum process have prolonged a torturous existence—one marked by deep depression and daily despair as they await relocation to a safe third country. And while their return to Pakistan would mean potentially life-threatening risks, many choose to reject significant repatriation grants, knowing their lives could be in grave danger if they return.”
“The international community and the UN must step up and address the profound inequality and religious extremism in Pakistan, which have made life unimaginable for these victims. Every person deserves the chance for a safe and happy life—this fundamental right must be upheld, and urgent action is needed to support those who have been stripped of this basic dignity.”
