A leading human rights organization has criticized Thailand for forcing Burmese refugees into camps along the Burmese border.
Human Rights Watch says the move is part of Thailand's efforts to improve ties with Burma, and has urged the international community to persuade Bangkok to abandon the practice.
The organization says those in the camps are barred from using mobile phones or the Internet, making it impossible for them to communicate with the outside world.
The group says those who fail to register at the camps risk being arrested and deported to Burma, where many face imprisonment and mistreatment.
Human Rights Watch says the policy affects thousands of refugees, and threatens to destroy the small Burmese pro-democracy movement in Thailand.
