A court in Chiang Rai has invoked a special measure to protect a 16-year-old Somali refugee, in a "milestone" ruling for Thailand, where refugees, including children, frequently face the risk of detention and prosecution. The boy, smuggled from war-torn Somalia three years ago, has become a high school football star in Thailand. It said he had been recognised by UNHCR as a refugee and was being processed for resettlement in another country. "This is the first time that a child (refugee) is protected under the juvenile court system. As such, whether or not they have UNHCR papers, refugees and asylum seekers regularly risk arrest, detention and prosecution.

Source: Bangkok Post December 02, 2016 12:11 UTC