VANCOUVER - The Canadian Tamil Congress says it's extremely concerned by reports 155 Sri Lankan migrants have been arrested in Thailand and that Ottawa may have played a role in the crackdown to prevent the migrants from setting sail for Canada.
Congress spokesman David Poopalapillai said his organization has spoken with a relative of one of the Tamils taken into custody this past weekend in a raid of 17 Bangkok locations.
Poopalapillai said while details are still sketchy, some of those arrested appear to have been properly registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In response to reports that Ottawa may have had a hand in the arrests, Poopalapillai said Canada cannot interchange genuine refugees with human smugglers. The Canadian government has vowed to crack down on migrants since the vessel MV Sun Sea arrived in British Columbia in August carrying 492 people.
"Canada cannot negate its international obligations and have countries such as Thailand do its dirty work," Poopalapillai said Tuesday.
A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the minister cannot confirm or deny operational matters.
The federal government will not sit back while Canada becomes a target for criminal operations that try to take advantage of the country's generosity, the spokesman added.
Cherdchai Chaivaivid, counsellor and head of chancery at the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa, said there had been meetings between Canada and Thailand to co-ordinate efforts.
"This is an ongoing process," he said. "We have had very good co-operation and understanding with the Canadian government, in particular since the Sun Sea, the vessel issue a couple of months ago."
Chaivaivid, however, had no specific information about possible Canadian involvement in the arrests.
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa did not return a call seeking comment.
Ottawa has taken steps to create a new class of asylum seeker -- the "mass arrival" -- with tougher detention rules for human smugglers.
Migrants who arrive in large groups would have to wait two weeks for their first detention hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board. The first detention review is currently held within 48 hours.
The changes, expected to be tabled soon by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, would also broaden the offence of human smuggling to target ring leaders who induce or aid someone coming to Canada.
Lisa Monette, a Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, provided few details Tuesday on the government's role in the Thailand arrests.
"We are aware of the operation conducted by Thai authorities," she said.
"Canada is engaged with a number of countries in the region on issues regarding migrant smuggling, including pursuing co-operation with source and transit countries. We will not comment on operational issues that may compromise any ongoing or future efforts."
The National News Bureau of Thailand, a government public relations department, said the migrants were arrested while waiting to seek asylum to a third country.
The bureau said most of the arrested had either no travel documents or had overstayed their visas.
Poopalapillai said his organization has contacted various humanitarian agencies to try and ensure those arrested in Thailand are treated fairly.
An Immigration and Refugee Board spokeswoman said of the 443 adults who were detained after entering Canada on the MV Sun Sea, 45 have been ordered released.
The remaining 49 passengers on the freighter were minors.
The Ocean Lady docked in B.C. last year carrying 76 Tamils. All have since been released from custody.
