Speaking to FMT in conjunction with UN International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief yesterday, two activists stressed that Malaysia should play a greater role in ensuring protection for refugees in Malaysia, many of whom have suffered persecution because of their religion or belief.
Brian Yap, research consultant at Amnesty International Malaysia, reiterated calls to the authorities to respect the international legal principle of non-refoulement.
“Dispatch search and rescue boats for refugees on boats that are at sea, and allow and facilitate the safe disembarkation of these people, instead of pushing back boats when they arrive,” he said.
“Ratify the UN Convention on Refugees and the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
“Refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia have been subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention in appalling conditions, caning, extortion and deportation back to the persecution that they fled. This practice must end.”
Malaysia has not signed the UN Convention on Refugees, which means that Putrajaya is under no obligation to help them. Refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are classified as illegal immigrants by the government.
Yap also said UNHCR must also be given permission to visit immigration detention centres to verify asylum seekers and refugees, which the government has not allowed for the past two years.
There are some 179,450 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia as of the end of July.
Some 154,860 are from Myanmar, comprising about 102,960 Rohingya, 22,490 Chins and 29,390 other ethnic groups from conflict-affected areas or fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
The remaining are some 24,590 refugees and asylum seekers from 50 countries fleeing war and persecution, including about 6,640 Pakistanis, 3,270 Syrians and 2,610 Afghans.
John Quinley III from Bangkok-based Fortify Rights said many religious and ethnic minorities from across the world were seeking safety in Malaysia.
Noting the large Rohingya refugee population which have fled state-sponsored persecution and violence in Myanmar and sought refuge in Malaysia, Quinley stressed that Malaysia should ensure that no refugees from Myanmar are sent back to the country.
“No one should be discriminated against based on their religion or beliefs, and people should have the freedom to express and worship freely without persecution,” he said.
He also called on the government to support Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and halt its engagement with the military junta.