Still no protection for Rohingya refugees in M’sia
| Still no protection for Rohingya refugees in M’sia | ||||
detention camp since 13 June 2007. Respectfully, Regarding on the above matter, we would like to appreciate highly for our members who had been arrested from Limbongan, Malacca by Rela Forces and detained at Malacca detention camp. Since 13 June 2007, they are UNHCR recognized Myanmar Rohingya Muslims refugees from Myanmar, they are willing to get assistance and in need of Your humanitarian consideration during they stay temporarily in Malaysia. The other hand Our Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization have applied the 3rd country resettlement under UNHCR consideration, including for them. Therefore, we would be request humbly for their release and we are in need of under Your Highness on any humanitarian ground, would be most appreciate.
LIST OF DETAINED REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS.
- Forizah (daughter) - Noor Begom (daughter) - Nor Bahar (sister in law)
a. Mr. Noor Hussein bin Abdu Suban UNHCR Ref: 04/ROH/00580, b. Ms. Juma Bi Binti Hakim Ali (Wife) c. Noor Hudah binti Noor Hussein, Child YOB: 2000 d. Noor Nisah binti Noor Hussein, Child YOB: 2001 e. Noor Shahidah binti Noor Hussein, Child YOB: 2003
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Malaysian police and immigration authorities are still arresting and detaining Rohingya Burmese refugees, although the government announced last October that it would recognise them as asylum seekers. Refugee Hafizur Rahman Shobbir (photo) was released this morning after a week’s detention at the immigration detention centre in Semenyih, Selangor.
While expressing appreciation to the authorities for not deporting him to Burma, he claimed to know of at least six Rohingya being held at the camp, even though they are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur. “One of them is Abdul Rohim Kasim, who holds a UNHCR letter (recognising him as a refugee). He was in Kajang for several months. He was also caned once before being placed in Semenyih a month ago,” he said, when met outside the UNHCR office today. Asked to describe conditions at the detention centre, he said: “It was very difficult. We could not sleep much. We did not have (a change of) clothes….there was very little food and the toilets were very dirty.” However, he said the treatment of detainees is a far cry from previous experiences when he and other Rohingya were detained. “(Several years ago) the officers would beat us very badly for the slightest things. If we were caught fighting, they’d make us squat under the hot sun for hours on end. This time, however, the officers were different. They were very proper,” he said. Hafizur Rahman, however, wanted to know if the government’s policy toward Rohingya refugees, announced last October, is being heeded by police and immigration officers. ‘Fulfill promise’ Myanmar Ethnic Zafar, who heads a Kuala Lumpur-based President of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya human rights Organization, said he constantly receives calls from those seeking to be released from prison or detention centres. “During the day I get calls. At night, I get calls. I don’t get much time to rest. We appreciate the government’s recognition of Rohingya as refugees and for permission to stay. We just want to live without fear of (further) operations and arrests,” he said.
“Sometimes, they toss the letter aside and say it is a forgery. At other times, they just tear up the letter and then arrest us,” he said. Of particular concern to the 30,000 refugees currently in Malaysia is next month’s planned crackdown, a prelude to a mass deportation of undocumented migrants. This will be carried out by immigration and police personnel, assisted by some half a million members of neighbourhood watch groups (Rukun Tetangga) and auxiliary police units (Rela). “We are scared of what will happen next month. Are they going to raid homes? Are they going to go into houses?” asked Sabir.
However, a UNHCR protection officer said she herself was perplexed as to the authorities’ apparent ambivalence on the policy. “We have not yet seen any written directive. But we have been informed by the police authorities that there will be no more arrests (of Rohingya).” Malaysiakini had earlier reported the conflicting statements of ministers in relation to the policy. Last December, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said he was working with the chief secretary on the implementation of the policy to recognise Rohingyas, but did not state when this would be enforced. He also said Home Minister Azmi Khalid, who had earlier claimed that no final decision had yet been made on the matter, had perhaps not been informed of the decision. |
Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia,President Zafar Ahmead Mohd Abdul Ghani (photo) also appealed to the authorities to fulfill their promise not to arrest Rohingya refugeees.
Another Rohingya, Mohd Sabir Ahmed Meah, said police officers who approach Burmese refugees demonstrate little regard for either the government policy or UNHCR documents.
The Rohingya also expressed hope that the UNHCR will intervene as soon as possible to effect the release of all Burmese arrested or detained, and prevent their deportation.
