We must fight for Rohingyas here too
Let’s not forget that refugees in Malaysia still do not have the right to employment, education and affordable healthcare.
It is perfectly understandable that so many groups and individuals in Malaysia are expressing outrage over the atrocities against the Rohingya people in Myanmar.
International NGOs have reported that security forces have killed well over 500 people, raped hundreds of women, burned thousands of houses and displaced tens of thousands.
Last week, there was a protest in front of the Myanmar embassy by more than 1,000 people. The government has cancelled two football friendlies with Myanmar and has summoned the Myanmar ambassador over the reported violence. On Facebook, netizens have urged the government to impose sanctions on Myanmar and some have even called for the deportation of Myanmar nationals.
While it is heartening that Malaysians are championing the Rohingya in Myanmar, it would be hypocritical of us if we did not as well demand respect for the human rights of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.
Of the 150,000-odd refugees in Malaysia, about 55,000 of them are Rohingya. For years, many have been in limbo as they do not have the right to work.
Only recently, the United Nations refugee agency said it was working with Malaysia on a pilot scheme to allow some 300 Rohingya to work legally in plantations. This may be a sign that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, but there is still a long way to go.
As citizens, we can do so much more to help the Rohingya, not only through charity and volunteer work as some have done, but also by pushing the government to protect the rights of the Rohingya and other refugees here.
For a start, we can demand that the government become a signatory to the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. We should also tell political parties to make this demand a part of their agenda.
If Putrajaya becomes a signatory to the convention, all refugees will have the right to employment, access to affordable healthcare and education and protection from exploitation.
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If we truly believe in the protection of basic human rights, we should start by cleaning up our own backyard.