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 2 of 112 pages.
-
Malaysia deports asylum seekers to Aceh despite UNHCR appeal
5 Sep 2003 ... KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept 5 (UNHCR) - Malaysian authorities today deported seven asylum seekers ... UNHCR has repeatedly urged officials in Malaysia to work with the agency to provide safety in the ...... -
But when will our turn come? A review of the implementation of UNHCR's urban refugee policy in Malaysia. Jeff Crisp, Naoko Obi, Liz Umlas, May 2012
May 2012 ... A review of the implementation of UNHCR’s urban refugee policy in Malaysia Jeff Crisp, PDES Naoko ... of refugees who are living in urban areas of Malaysia: first, their inability to establish a secure ...... -
Statement from Malaysia
18 Dec 2019 ... MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AT THE GLOBAL REFUGEE FORUM GENEVA, SWITZERLAND 17 - 18 DECEMBER 2019 Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Malaysia ...... -
Malaysia: UNHCR extremely concerned by deportation of Acehnese
5 Sep 2003 ... Lumpur reported that seven people were deported this morning by boat from Malaysia's Perak state. ... Again, we appeal to Malaysian officials to work with the agency in providing safety in Malaysia.... -
Malaysia grants temporary stay to Rohingya refugees
2 Nov 2004 ... This demonstrates the strong humanitarian commitment of Malaysia and of this government in ... UNHCR estimates there are some 10,000 Rohingyas in Malaysia, many of whom arrived during the 1990s, ...... -
Malaysia: Latest migrant arrests include UNHCR cardholders
30 Jan 2007 ... In Malaysia, we are concerned that over the weekend, as part of a general crackdown on undocumented ... There are some 46,000 persons of concern registered with UNHCR in Malaysia including 15,000 from the ...... -
Malaysia: jungle camp registration to start
10 Dec 2004 ... On Monday, 13 December, UNHCR in Malaysia will start sending mobile registration teams to the jungle ... Amongst the 28,000 refugees and people of concern to UNHCR in Malaysia are some 10,000 Rohingya ...... -
UNHCR Country Operations Plan 2003 - Malaysia
1 Sep 2002 ... Malaysia 2003 Country Operations Plan Part I: Executive Committee Summary (a) Context and ... 650,000 illegal migrants from remaining in Malaysia led to a significant increase in persons ...... -
UNHCR Country Operations Plan 2002 - Malaysia
1 Jul 2001 ... Country Operations Plan COUNTRY OPERATIONS PLAN Country: Malaysia Planning Year: 2002 1 Country Operations Plan Executive Summary (a) Context: Beneficiary Populations and Themes Malaysia is not party ......