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Rohingyas to receive temporary stay permits in Malaysia
2 Nov 2004 UNHCR has welcomed a recent decision by the Malaysian government to grant temporary stay permits to Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The new documents, which are still being discussed, will prevent the refugees from being detained as illegal migrants and hopefully give them access to education. -
In PNG, refugees from Indonesia's Papua province start complex journey to new home
1 Oct 2004 The UN refugee agency is relocating a group of 185 refugees from Papua New Guinea's Vanimo to East Awin, where they can receive more land to grow crops and raise livestock, enjoy better services like education and health care, and apply for the right to free movement within their host country. -
Malaysia deports asylum seekers to Aceh despite UNHCR appeal
5 Sep 2003 Seven asylum seekers who originated from the Indonesian province of Aceh have been deported from Malaysia. This comes amid serious protection concerns raised by the UN refugee agency, and recent assurances against forced returns to the strife-torn province. -
UNHCR protests arrests of Acehnese in Kuala Lumpur
26 Aug 2003 More than 400 Acehnese asylum seekers have been arrested outside the UN refugee agency compound in the Malaysian capital in the last week. UNHCR has raised serious concerns about the detention, and urged the government to grant temporary protection to Acehnese fleeing the conflict at home. -
UNHCR urges solutions for refugees to combat trafficking
29 Apr 2003 UN refugee agency chief Ruud Lubbers has told an international gathering in Indonesia that a crackdown on people smuggling and trafficking must be accompanied by an effort to find solutions for those fleeing violence and persecution. -
Final effort to help 30,000 East Timorese refugees go home
1 Nov 2002 East Timor President Xanana Gusmão has launched a final bid with UNHCR and IOM to persuade East Timorese refugees in West Timor to repatriate. Those who decide to return by year's end will receive transportation to their hometown and a repatriation package. -
Goodwill in the Land of Smiles
22 May 2002 Dodging monsoon showers, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited the Tham Hin refugee camp in Thailand. -
East Timorese leader in a bid to speed up refugee returns
5 Apr 2002 East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmão and UN refugee agency officials this week paid an unusual visit to the West Timor town of Atambua, in an unprecedented joint attempt to encourage East Timorese refugees to go back home. -
Refugee agency expresses shock and sadness at refugee boat sinking
23 Oct 2001 The U.N. refugee agency expressed shock and sadness Tuesday at the sinking of a boat carrying hundreds of asylum seekers off the Indonesian coast.