UNHCR assesses South Thai Muslim arrivals in Malaysia
Briefing Notes, 13 September 2005
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 13 September 2005, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR staff in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are currently preparing a preliminary overall assessment of a group of 131 southern Thai Muslims after completing initial interviews with the group at an immigration centre in Kelantan, in north-east Malaysia, last Friday.
The interviews were conducted over an intensive period of four days by a team of 11 UNHCR staff deployed from Kuala Lumpur to the Tanah Merah immigration centre. The UNHCR team sought to establish the circumstances behind the flight of the group to Malaysia on 30 August, and to assess their humanitarian and protection needs.
The material gathered during the interviews is now being compiled, assessed, cross-checked and reviewed – an essential process which may take about 10 days. At the earliest, the preliminary findings may be ready at the end of next week.
The group of 61 men, 21 women and 49 children – ranging in age from five months to 17 years – comprising 64 cases, are still being held at the Tanah Merah immigration centre.
Following in its humanitarian tradition, Malaysia is cooperating fully with UNHCR, respecting our mandate as well as complying with international law and standards.
Refugees from Myanmar: Ethnic Karens Seek Shelter
Over 2,000 refugees from Myanmar have crossed the border into Thailand in recent months. Most claim to be fleeing renewed conflict and human rights abuses in Kayin state, Myanmar. The mainly ethnic Karen refugees say their houses and villages have been burned and civilians killed. Many were weak upon arrival, suffering from illnesses such as malaria, after a long, dangerous journey to the camps through heavily mined areas. The refugees have been arriving at government-run camps, mainly in the Mae Hong Son area in northern Thailand.
UNHCR is working with the Thai government and non-governmental organisations to ensure the new arrivals are admitted to the camps and provided with adequate shelter and protection. Shelter has been a major issue as the capacity in many refugee camps has been overwhelmed. In a breakthrough in mid-May, Thai authorities agreed to build proper houses for the new arrivals.
There are currently 140,000 refugees from Myanmar living in nine border camps in Thailand, many of them have been there for up to 20 years.
Refugees from Myanmar: Ethnic Karens Seek Shelter
Thailand: Thang's Dilemma
Thang is a refugee in Thailand. He and his mother fled his village because he feared being forced to join an army that was killing his own people. No one chooses to be a refugee.
Surviving in the City: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia is a largely urban country, with 60 per cent of the population living in cities. Life for a refugee in Kuala Lumpur is challenging. Refugees cannot work legally and most live in fear of detention, despite having received a refugee card from UNHCR.
Through ninemillion.org Paw Wah, a young refugee living in a refugee camp in Thailand is able to share with you a glimps of her life. To learn more about the ninemillion.org campaign visit the website.
| 
| 
| 
