Dissident Myanmar Supermodel Granted Asylum in Canada – The Diplomat

A vogue mannequin from Myanmar who has spoken out concerning the nation’s repressive army 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 – turning into one in all many Myanmar nationals who’ve left or remained outdoors the nation. “I wish to say from right here to the world: please assist 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 army … 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 a press release 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 is likely to be extradited to Myanmar, the place she would virtually actually face harsh remedy by the hands of the army junta.

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In September 2021, Thaw Nandar Thaw was reportedly charged in absentia with sedition for talking out towards the army junta. The statute criminalizes makes an attempt to “carry into hatred or contempt, or excite or try to excite disaffection in direction of the federal government,” and the army 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 army 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 because the coup.”

One other worldwide advocacy group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), accused the Myanmar army authorities of revoking her passport in a bid to deprive her of citizenship, and probably pressure the Thai authorities to deport her from the nation. Over the previous 19 months, the army 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 isn’t a doubt that what transpired was a lure to attempt to pressure Han Lay to return to Myanmar, the place she would have confronted quick arrest, possible abuse in detention, and imprisonment,” Phil Robertson, HRW’s deputy Asia director informed The Related Press. “Thankfully, she bought good recommendation to remain put on the airport, and anticipate the sort 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 realize, there’s a massive Myanmar group in Canada, so I’m positive I’ll have the ability to stick with it the wrestle for Myanmar with their assist.”