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Refugees at risk as Malaysia prepares crackdown on illegal migrants
3 Dec 2004 UNHCR has warned that refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia could risk getting detained or deported in the face of an impending crackdown on illegal migrants that involves bounties and a sizeable volunteer corps working with law enforcement agencies. -
Refugees in Malaysia's jungle camps face harsh life, fear crackdown
30 Nov 2004 Living in harsh conditions in makeshift jungle camps on the outskirts of Malaysia's gleaming new administrative capital of Putra Jaya, are thousands of refugees and asylum seekers. They live in fear of police raids and an imminent crackdown on illegal migrants. -
UNHCR urges Malaysia to release refugees from detention
26 Nov 2004 Over 300 refugees in Malaysia are in detention centres, including minors, the elderly and vulnerable cases. The only way out is through resettlement in a third country or voluntary deportation, which can take many months, sometimes even years. UNHCR is continuing to request the Malaysian government to release the most vulnerable cases. -
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. -
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. -
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.