According to data published by Human Rights Watch, at least 2,000 people were deported last year. The vast majority were Rohingya who had sought refuge in the country. Malaysia is not among the signatory countries of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and after the pandemic public discontent with its reception increased.
Kuala Lumpur () – Malaysia is becoming less and less welcoming to people fleeing Burma. Long an indispensable refuge for those seeking safety abroad in the face of military repression and conflict with ethnic militias that have so far killed nearly 3,000 people in Burma, raids and evictions are now ongoing.
According to Human Rights Watch, between April and October of last year, at least 2,000 Burmese citizens were repatriated without their request for protection being granted; others were interned or even imprisoned. Concern was also expressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which called for an immediate end to forced repatriations and urged the Malaysian authorities to “fulfill their international legal obligations and ensure full respect for the rights of those who They need international protection.
While it is true that Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its Protocol, and that local law does not distinguish between refugees and undocumented migrants, UNHCR considers that international law prohibits returning people to their countries of origin when they are at risk of persecution or other human rights violations.
It is true that although the government led by Anwar Ibrahim is one of the most ardent supporters of a negotiating table between the Burmese junta and the opposition, it has so far failed in this coordinated effort with the other member countries of the Association of Nations of the Southeast Asia (ASEAN), of which Burma is also a part. On the other hand, the pressure of public opinion – which grew strongly during the pandemic – is increasing regarding the presence of 183,000 refugees in the country, of whom 86% come from Burma and the majority are Rohingya. Conditions that the executive that resulted from the recent elections cannot ignore.
So far, proposed alternatives have not been considered, such as an identity document distributed by UNHCR, which, although without legal value, “could reduce the risk of detention and allow limited access to health, education and support services.” essential”. In the same way, the same Commissioner or other bodies could provide other services aimed at guaranteeing greater security and a better quality of life.
