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Suaram views with grave concern the recent statement by Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad in describing UNHCR as causing difficulties to the work of the Ministry when it intervened in the arrest and detention of Burmese asylum seekers and refugees (Please see NST report on 2 February 2007 at page 16).

It is well established that Burma has one of the world’s worst human rights record and consistent with that dubious record, also produces many asylum seekers and refugees who flee the country due to persecution or war.

Suaram wishes to remind the Home Minister and the Government that despite their protestation that Malaysia has not ratified the Convention Relating to the Status of Convention 1951and all other major human rights treaty relating to refugees, Malaysia is still obliged to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on Territorial Asylum (Adopted by General Assembly resolution 2312 (XXII) of 14 December 1967) and the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the OIC on 19 September 1981; Article IX on the right to asylum) which Malaysia has adopted.

Further, the non-signatory to refugee related conventions should not absolve Malaysia=s responsibility from international standards of treatment towards refugees and asylum seekers as morally Malaysia should strive to achieve the standards as set out by the United Nations and as agreed by the large majority of States.

Suaram further wishes to point out that Malaysia as an elected member State to sit on the Human Rights Council should act consistently with its new role as refugees right are also human rights. In addition, Malaysia should bear added responsibility towards asylum seekers and refugees from Burma as it played a major part in Burma’s entry into ASEAN despite the country’s horrendous human rights record.

Suaram wishes to add that the very fact that these asylum seekers and refugees are present in the country in contravention of immigration laws does not mean that they are threat to national security or law and order as frequently cited. The immigration laws should not be applicable to these groups of people and therefore the raids by RELA and the immigration authorities should cease immediately. Many of these people are escaping persecution or war and have traveled far and with great difficulty to seek asylum and assistance from UNHCR in neighboring countries. Instead of hindering UNHCR’s work, the Home Ministry should instead be working together with them on how best to protect the asylum seekers and refugees in accordance to international standards.

Released by,

Chang Lih Kang
Coordinator

SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA
Address: 433A, Jalan 5/46, Gasing Indah, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Telephone: +6 03 7784 3525 Fax: +6 03 7784 3526
Email: suaram[at]suaram.net Web: www.suaram.net
Press statement: 2 February 2007