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DNA TESTING FOR THAI CITIZENSHIP |
1. Why don't hilltribe members have Thai citizenship? Often, hilltribe members lack citizenship despite being born in Thailand to parents who are Thai citizens. This is due to the fact that they are born outside of hospitals or are orphaned at early ages without a documented record of parentage. Consequently, they lack necessary documentation to exist as legal entities in Thailand. Approximately half of the hilltribe population in Thailand lacks citizenship. 2. What problems result from lacking citizenship? Without citizenship, hilltribe members cannot pursue the same educational opportunities as citizens, cannot be legally employed, and are deprived of state welfare and health care. These problems are particularly taxing for a community already suffering from extreme poverty and illiteracy. Without alternatives to support themselves, hilltribe members often must turn to unregulated, dangerous jobs, such as prostitution, and other forms of exploitation. These hilltribe non-citizens are not protected by labor laws. In fact, the Cultural Unit of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has said that the lack of citizenship is the major risk factor leading to trafficking and exploitation of hilltribe women and children. Also stemming from their lack of legal rights, hilltribe members often find themselves evicted by the government from land they have lived on for generations. The government may do this for many reasons: to develop a national park or wildlife sanctuary; to build farms; or to sell the land to private interests. In cases where the government builds a farm on confiscated hilltribe lands, community members may continue farming with minimal compensation but must give the government most of what they cultivate. When the Thai government takes hilltribe land, community members with citizenship are able to look for employment elsewhere, but those without citizenship are left even more vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation. No country outside of Thailand will grant hilltribe members citizenship. They are, in effect, “stateless” people. They can vote in no elections, have no voice in courts, and cannot move freely in their own land. 3. How does the Mirror Art Group help? Those hilltribe members who are entitled to Thai citizenship and denied it often have little recourse. Citizenship can be granted by the Thai government, only after hilltribe members provide certifiable DNA evidence that they are descendents of Thai citizens. This DNA testing is extremely expensive, especially for hilltribe members who live in poverty. The Mirror Art Group supports hilltribe members throughout the genetic testing process, paying for the tests and helping with legal documentation work. Costs covered by the Mirror Art Group also include transportation for hilltribe members to and from Chiang Mai and/or Bangkok, where tests are performed, and lodging and food for hilltribe members while they are away from their communities. 4. How can YOU help? By donating money for DNA testing, you are providing much needed help in the fight for crucial legal rights for hilltribe members. All money donated for DNA testing goes directly to funding tests or supporting hilltribe members during the testing process. TO DONATE, CLICK HERE.
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