A day after an international watchdog released a letter slamming Australia for its assistance in detaining Bahraini refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has revealed it also lobbied the Thai ambassador to Australia for the footballer's release.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan sent the letter to Her Excellency Mrs Natana Sivakua on December 21 to convey his "serious concerns" over the detention of Mr Al-Araibi in Thailand.
"I respectfully request that Thai authorities give full consideration to the human rights implications of Mr Alaraibi's ongoing detention and any further action to be taken to return Mr Al-Araibi to Bahrain," the letter reads.
มีความเสี่ยงสูงที่ทางการไทยอาจส่งตัว นายฮาคีม อัล อาไรบี กลับไปยังบาห์เรนตามคำแจ้งเตือนสีแดงของตำรวจสากล (อินเตอร์โพล) Source: AAP
Mr Al-Araibi, an Australian permanent resident and semi-professional football player, has been detained in a Thai detention centre for the past month after he was picked up entering Bangkok with his wife due to an Interpol red notice issued for an alleged act of vandalism in Bahrain.
But human rights groups claim the red notice is invalid because it was issued by Bahrain, the country Mr Al-Araibi fled due to fear of persecution. The notice has since been withdrawn.
"It's critical that Hakeem's human rights are protected and upheld, and that he is allowed to return to Australia," Mr Tan told SBS News.
"My solidarity and strength go to Hakeem and his supporters in this time of immense difficulty."
The AHRC is the latest in a long line of groups that have come out in support of Mr Al-Araibi, including members of Professional Footballers Australia, FIFA, Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, Amnesty Australia, and former Socceroos captain Craig Foster.
On Wednesday, Football Victoria urged its 350,000 members to contact the Australian government to demand the player's release.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan. Source: AAP
"Hakeem is a member of a strong football community and we want to do as much as we can to help Hakeem," said chief executive Peter Filopoulos in a video posted on social media.
"Mr Al-Araibi was granted permanent residency by the Australian government last year, in recognition of his status as a refugee," the letter continued.
"Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, has stated that returning Mr Al-Araibi to Bahrain would contravene his rights under international human rights law.
"I echo the sentiments of the minister."
Marise Payne, right wiht then-Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, has also reached out to her Thai counterpart. Source: AFP
Ms Payne has raised the case with her Thai counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, but earlier this month it was revealed Australia's National Interpol Bureau tipped off Thailand prior to Mr Al-Araibi's arrival.
The Department of Home Affairs additionally rejected a request on December 10 to use ministerial discretion to grant Australian citizenship to the footballer.
Thailand would be in breach of international law if it proceeds with his extradition.
Thai prison guards lead Hakeem al-Araibi, centre from a court house in Bangkok Source: AAP
It is understood there has been no response to the letter. The Royal Thai Embassy has been contacted for comment.
