6th August 2007
Press Statement
APPEAL TO MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT TO STOP THE CRACKDOWN ON REFUGEES.
On 4th August 2007, more than 350 undocumented migrants were arrested by the Immigration Department and Rela during the Ops Tegas in Selayang and Gombak. Out of that number, about 100 of them are refugees from Myanmar who are registered with UNHCR, Malaysia.
Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia (MERHROM) was informed by the community members about the arrest at about 3.30am. Many of them could not escape as there are hundred of Rela officers involved during the operation. Later, we found out that they were taken to Lenggeng detention camp on the same day.
At about 8.00pm on 4th August 2007, MERHROM received another call from the community members about the Immigration and Rela operation in Subang. About 7 Rohingya refugees and many others were arrested.
On 5th August 2007, at about 3.30am again MERHROM received another call from the community members on the Immigration and Rela operation in Ampang and Taman Muda. Estimated about 200 undocumented migrants were arrested. Out of this number about 50 of them are Rohingya refugees consisting of men, women, pregnant women and children. They were registered with UNHCR.
During the operation, Mr. Habibur Rahman, the Secretary General of MERHROM and Mr. Harun, the Information Secretary of MERHROM were also arrested. Mr. Habibur Rahman managed to inform Mr. Zafar Ahmad, President of MERHROM that he was punched at his face and was hit at his thigh by two (2) Rela officers.
Mr. Zafar Ahmad together with his wife and the Vice-President rushed to the Rela Office in Batu 10 Cheras to check on this matter. We reached the Rela office at 5.50am. The Rela officer told us that they received direction from the Minister to arrest all refugees. Another Rela officer told us that the UNHCR is already expired and had no power in Malaysia. We informed the officer that we want to speak to the head of Rela office. We were told to wait for Tuan Haji Musa, the head of Cheras Rela as he just left the office. While waiting, we asked permission to get the details of Rohingya refugees from the officer but it was denied.
We waited until 9.00am before we were chased out by the higher position of Rela officer. We were told that he is the advisor of Rela and holding Dato’ position. He told us not to wait for Tuan Haji Musa and told us to go. He asked us to deal with the Immigration and the detention camp. Mr. Zafar Ahmad replied that he will also discuss the matter with the Immigration Department. Suddenly he got very angry, shouted at us and chase us out of the Rela premise. He directed his officer to chase us out immediately. One of his officer hold Mr. Zafar’s neck and chase him out. Mr. Zafar’s wife who stood beside him told the officer to remove his hand from Mr. Zafar’s neck. In anger he told Mr. Zafar “you think when you marry a Malaysian, you can say anything you want?”. We left the Rela office after the incident as we don’t want it to be worse.
This clearly show that refugees do not have rights to talk and claim their rights. This incident also show how arrogant Rela officers are. We left Rela office with lots of frustration. We were treated like persons without dignity just because we are refugees. There is no respect for the vulnerable people like us. We can’t talk about our rights. They told us to shut our mouth.
We were frustrated as Malaysia is a member of United Nations Human Rights Council but various human rights violations took place especially to the refugees and the migrant workers. The Malaysia government also signed CRC and CEDAW and the state have the responsibility to protect both children and women within its territory regardless of their status.
We also feel very sad as the Malaysia Prime Minister is very concerned about the Darfur refugees but he failed to do the same to the refugees who are really in vulnerable situation in Malaysia soil.
We urge the Malaysian government to immediately stop the Crackdown on refugees and give us chance to live. Every moment we live in fear. We had gone through enough pain and suffering in our life and we had nobody to turn to.
Refugees Detained during the Crackdown on 4th & 5th August 2007 in Selayang and Ampang.
Name UNHCR Ref No.
1. Mohd. Shaufie 04/ROH/03200
2. Mohd. Ayub 03/ROH/01043
3. Mohd. Jamil 05/ROH/01011
4. Mohd. Sayad 03/ROH/00738
5. Salim 03/ROH/00666
6. Abdul Shukur 04/ROH/01568
7. Yusuf 03/ROH/05639
8. Habib Sayed Hussin 05/ROH/01150
9. Mohamad 03/ROH/00407
10. Mohd. Jalal 354-06C-02214
11. Nobi Hussin 354-07C-00031
12. Rosmary 03/MLS/03017
13. Noor Kamal 03/ROH/01086
14. Sulaiman 354-03703018
15. Habibur Rahman 03/ROH/00571 ( Secretary General of MERHROM)
16.Mr. Harun 03/ROH/00544 (Information Secretary of MERHROM)
17. Monir 03/ROH/01676
18. Mohd Aesop 05/ROH/00779
19. Ali Akbar 354-04C-06602
20. Mohd. Yunus 04/ROH/02183
21. Mohd. Hafiz 03/ROH/00377
22. Mohd. Bashirullah 354-07C02922
23. Ms.Rashid UN Ref: 4 Children
24. Ms. Shahida UN Ref:
All of them currently detained at Semenyih detention camp and KLIA Immigration depo.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Zafar Ahmad
President
Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia
Tel: 6016-6827287
E-mail: rights4rohingya@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://www.http:// merhrom.wordpress.com
Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia (MERHROM) 