The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIA needs to re-examine its policy on refugees, especially on how they are being treated, United Nations Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews said today.

“There needs to be a willingness from the authorities to discuss policy on how refugees are being treated and we need a lot more transparency here,” he said in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He added that there should be steps taken that can actually make progress towards justice and dignity for these refugees.

“I think it is very important for the authorities in Malaysia to work along with UNHCR to make these policies clear and co-ordinated.

“There should also be level of transparency between the government and organisations like the UNHCR.

“For instance, since 2019, UNHCR has been denied access to Immigration detention centres, while families of those detained have no access to their relatives.

“I spoke to a refugee, whose brother has been detained for six months. She does not know his condition, or when or even if he will be released,” he said.

Andrews added he was informed that Rohingya refugees in detention were vulnerable to indefinite detention because they are stateless.

“I am deeply concerned by reports that hundreds of children may be in these facilities.”

According to Andrews, refugees he interviewed spoke of being shaken down to a point where one alleged to have been beaten by the police.

“After hearing these stories, it seems to me that it is crucial for Malaysia to re-examine its policy or any practice towards refugees.”

Earlier this week, Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin called the government to recognise the fundamental rights of refugees, saying it is in line with Malaysia’s status as an Islamic nation.

The former Johor menteri besar said refugees should have access to education, healthcare, and the freedom to move about safely, describing these as fundamental human rights.

“Let us strengthen our commitment to ensure that their rights and dignity are respected,” he said in a Facebook post.

As of end May 2022, UNHCR Malaysia reported it had registered 182,960 refugees and asylum-seekers.

Some 67% of these refugees and asylum-seekers are men, while 33% are women.

Further, there are approximately 46,570 refugees and asylum-seekers below the age of 18. – June 23, 2022.