Protection in Malaysia
Protection in Malaysia
Protection in Malaysia
Refugees escaping war or persecution often find themselves in extremely vulnerable circumstances. Deprived of protection from their own state—frequently the very entity responsible for their persecution—they are left without the fundamental safeguards afforded to most individuals.
If other countries refuse to grant them entry or fail to provide adequate protection and assistance upon arrival, it may be condemning these individuals to conditions that are not only intolerable but may also threaten their basic human rights, personal security, and, in some cases, their very lives.
The agency does this in several ways: it ensures that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they could face persecution. Longer term, the organization helps refugees find appropriate durable solutions to their plight, by repatriating voluntarily to their homeland, integrating in countries of asylum or resettling in third countries.
As there are no legislative or administrative provisions in place for dealing with the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia, UNHCR conducts all activities related to the protection of refugees namely the reception, registration, documentation and refugee status determination of asylum-seekers and refugees.
UNHCR also promotes or provides legal and physical protection, and minimize the threat of violence which many refugees are subject to, even in countries of asylum. As part of its humanitarian support for refugees, UNHCR cooperates with various partners including government agencies, donor countries, Non-Governmental Organisations and volunteers to:
- Provide assistance for refugees in a variety of areas including healthcare, education, financial support for vulnerable individuals, shelter, counseling and other welfare needs;
- Provide outreach and community development support to refugee communities;
- Carry out detention monitoring and intervention;
- Provide legal representation in court for offences under the Immigration Act;
- Carry out advocacy, capacity-building, training with the refugees, Government, media and civil society partners;
- Mobilize resources including corporate and public fundraising;
- Support durable solutions for refugees, including resettlement to countries comprising, among others, the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Sweden, and the Czech.