What does it mean to be non-existent? To have no rights to work or education? That is the status of refugees in Malaysia, who are put into the same category as illegal immigrants and asylum-seekers when they are not. They are people who were forced to leave their home countries due to fear of prosecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or social group – they did not leave to seek greener pastures in terms of economic gain.
Refugees are often arrested during raids by immigration law enforcement agents or, more controversially, by the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) on account of violation of immigration laws. The events preceding these arrests reflect the corrupt nature of some of these authorities as well as blatant disrespect for refugee documentation from the UNHCR, as evident from testimonies from refugees in Malaysia:
“The police have stopped me very often, and have robbed me also. Sometimes the police will stop us and ask for our passports. We can’t show passports, so then they will say that we are going to be taken to prison. But if we can pay them money, they will let us go. Sometimes they check all our pockets. What we have, they take. If you have a phone, and if it is quite good, they will take it. This has happened to me several times.”- A Catholic Chin refugee from Myanmar, July 2009
Refugees are held for indefinite periods of time with limited access to non-governmental organizations as well as legal representation. This holds true even for refugees who are in possession of UNHCR cards confirming their status as refugees.
In one case of particular concern, the NGO Tenaganita attempted to see a pregnant refugee from Myanmar whose situation and detention had been made public in news reports. On arrival, and accompanied by a nurse, they were told that only family members were allowed to visit detainees.
With all this going on, the refugees remain invisible, their circumstances unseen and their voices unheard. It is time to say that we will not remain silent any longer in view of the injustice carried out towards our fellow man. It is time to make a difference in their lives.
CHANGE YOUR WORLD TOUR, KL: 4th SEPTEMBER
@ SUNWAY CONVENTION CENTER, 6-10PM
passes are available- CALL NOW: 012 889 1027
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