Malaysia: crackdown against illegal migrants begins
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Rupert Colville – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
As a twice-postponed crackdown in Malaysia against illegal migrants got underway today shortly after midnight, a mixed picture of the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers is emerging. UNHCR has been concerned that refugees and people of concern to us could get caught up in the crackdown. So far, we are encouraged by early reports showing that Malaysian law enforcers, especially RELA - a volunteer corps - and the police, have released people carrying UNHCR documents. However, some 29 persons with documentation have been arrested by immigration authorities and sent to immigration detention centres. We have quickly responded by sending staff to the centres to ensure the refugees are not deported.
Meanwhile, more than than 300 people crowded outside the UNHCR's office in Kuala Lumpur today (Tuesday) hoping to secure our assistance to remain in Malaysia. They were mainly from Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia's Aceh province, some having camped outside the UNHCR compound since the previous night. The office is trying to register asylum seekers on an urgent basis and counselling them accordingly.
Almost half a million enforcement personnel from immigration and a civil volunteer corps called Ikatan Relawan Rakyat or RELA and the police started moving in small groups across the country after midnight, to round up an estimated 400,000 illegal workers and their employers.
UNHCR today received and accepted an offer from RELA to accompany their raids against illegal migrants and do an immediate verification of those of concern to us.
UNHCR personnel are on 24-hour alert to protect refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. An operations room has been set up with three hotlines staffed at all times. This is to ensure that the authorities can call us and check whether a certain individual is registered with UNHCR, or is of concern to the office. If so, they should then be released. Refugees and asylum seekers can also call in if they are facing problems.
In readiness for the crackdown, UNHCR put in place a number of informal arrangements with the authorities to prevent any negative effects on people of concern to us. Late last year, our representative in Malaysia addressed police chiefs from the country's 13 states on refugee registration, documentation and status determination. Training has also been given to senior RELA staff on recognising UNHCR documentation.
UNHCR has received assurances from the highest levels of the Malaysian government that people of concern to us will not be affected and the refugee agency's representative has urged all officials involved in the crackdown to respect people registered and documented by UNHCR and to refrain from taking any action against all groups of concern to the UN refugee agency. There are some 35,000 people of concern to UNHCR in Malaysia, including ethnic groups from Myanmar, people fleeing from Indonesia's Aceh province, and other nationalities.
Related news and stories
UNHCR deplores continued deportation of Myanmar asylum-seekers from Malaysia
Refugee women take the lead in combating gender-based violence
Refugee tailors switch to making face masks and protective gear
The Global Compact on Refugees, explained
UNHCR thanks Indonesia and Malaysia for rescue and disembarkation of Rohingya refugees, calls on countries in the region to comply with maritime search and rescue obligations
Rohingya refugee beats the odds to get schooling in Malaysia
Your search for « malaysia » matched 1695 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 8 of 112 pages.
-
Rohingya all-rounder shines at Malaysia learning centre
20 Oct 2016 ... When he arrived in Malaysia eight years ago, different issues emerged. Refugees have no access to ... for refugees and asylum-seekers throughout Malaysia, many of which struggle with limited funding ...... -
Rohingyas to receive temporary stay permits in Malaysia
2 Nov 2004 ... KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov 2 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency has welcomed the Malaysian ... "This demonstrates the strong humanitarian commitment of Malaysia and of this government in ...... -
A teacher from Syria empowers young refugees in Malaysia
17 Nov 2016 ... Then the war started, forcing them to flee to Malaysia in 2012. "I didn't think I would be a refugee again. I thought our life was over," says the 32-year-old mother. "I want to thank Malaysia for ...... -
UNHCR helps reunite Somali mother and son in UK
11 Jun 2008 ... KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 11 (UNHCR) - For nearly two decades, conflict kept a Somali mother and her children apart. But now, with the help of UNHCR staff in Malaysia and the refugee agency's ...... -
Vietnamese "boat boy" practices medicine in Tibet
28 Apr 2005 ... One of the refugees who washed up on the shores of Malaysia in 1977 in a fishing boat was a boy ... but three huge storms pushed them south towards Malaysia. "We spent two weeks on the water. ...... -
UNHCR to start mobile registration in Malaysia's jungle camps
10 Dec 2004 ... KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec 10 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency is stepping up efforts to protect 28,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia ahead of an expected crackdown on illegal migrants early ...... -
More people risk Indian Ocean voyages despite abuse, deterrence
5 Dec 2014 ... This includes some 53,000 people leaving from the Bay of Bengal towards Thailand and Malaysia, and ... Roughly a third of arrivals interviewed by UNHCR in Thailand and Malaysia were minors under 18 years ...... -
Barbara Hendricks
... In 1989, Barbara travelled to Mozambique and Zambia to meet refugees preparing to return to Namibia. In 1990, she visited Vietnamese refugees in Pulau Bidong camp in Malaysia. In 1992, she travelled ...... -
Somali student proves it's never too late to learn in Malaysia
15 Sep 2016 ... That looked set to continue when she arrived in Malaysia, where refugees do not have access to ... Somali scholar proves it's never too late to learn in Malaysia “It’s unbelievable how much I ......