Please write to your MP and ask them to support the call for Thailand to permanently halt of the deportations of Karen refugees to Burma.

MPs respond better to individually composed letters. It does not have to be long, one or two paragraphs is enough. Below are suggested points for you to include in your letter:

* State your concern that Thailand is threatening to deport 3,000 ethnic Karen refugees back to Burma, to an area which is infested with landmines, and occupied by a military force allied to the dictatorship in Burma, which is likely to use the villagers as slave labour and children as child soldiers.

* Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 955, which calls on the government of Thailand to permanently halt of the deportations of Karen refugees, and calls on the British Government to make the strongest possible representations to Thailand on this matter, and to examine whether the actions of the government of Thailand in forcing refugees to return could break international humanitarian and human rights law.

Email your MP using the box below. Just enter your postcode to find your local MP details.

Or you can send your letter to your MP at: House of Commons London, SW1A 0AA

Click here to see if your MP has signed EDM 955

Early Day Motion: 955 Thailand and the return of ethnic Karen refugees to Burma

EDM 955

That this House condemns the actions of the government of Thailand, which is threatening to deport 3,000 ethnic Karen refugees back to Burma; is appalled that on 5 February 2010 thirteen refugees were forced to return against their will to an area which is infested with landmines, and occupied by a military force, allied to the dictatorship in Burma, which is likely to use the villagers as slave labour and children as child soldiers; expresses deep concern that the government of Thailand has made false claims to the international community that the refugees want to return; calls on the government of Thailand to turn its temporary halt of the deportations into a permanent one, and to end the harassment and intimidation of the refugees; and calls on the British Government to make the strongest possible representations to Thailand on this matter, and to examine whether the actions of the government of Thailand in forcing refugees to return could break international humanitarian and human rights law.

What is an EDM? Early day motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few EDMs are actually debated. Instead, they are used to draw attention to specific issues and demonstrate the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.

An MP can add their signature to an EDM to show their support.