Two Burmese Chin refugees who were detained by police for not holding valid visas have been sent to an illegal immigrants detention camp in Perak.

Victor Sang, an activist with the Chin National League for Solidarity in Malaysia, said the two were sent to the Langkap camp on Feb 20 after being held in several police stations in Kuala Lumpur.

Sang said the two women, who are in their early twenties, were arrested separately.

Tha Sui Chin was arrested two weeks ago while Tha Hniang Sung was arrested last Sunday while on her way to church, Sang told malaysiakini .

I have already spoken with the police chief in Langkap and he has said there has been no intervention so far by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said Sang when asked if UNHCR had been able to negotiate for the duos release.

According to Sang, authorities have indicated their willingness to release the refugees if they receive a letter from the UNHCR stating their refugee status.

Sang, who will meet UNHCR officials next Monday, said that the two women will be deported to Thailand next week if their refugee status remains unresolved.

Last Wednesday, the UNHCR confirmed that the two Chin women were recognised as refugees and have reasons to fear returning to Burma.

Protection Officer Kubo Shinji said the UNHCR was negotiating with Malaysian authorities to secure their release. He added that the agency has had good experience when dealing with similar situations in the past.

Ethnic, religious persecution

Meanwhile, Charlie Bwai, another Burmese activist, said Malaysian police arrests of Burmese refugees had stepped up since the incident last month when a group of Burmese Rohinyga refugees invaded the UNHCR compound in Kuala Lumpur to appeal for third country asylum.

Yesterday, a 60-year-old Chin refugee was stopped and questioned by police twice in the same day, said Bwai, adding that the elderly man was able to save himself after pleading with the policemen.

Bwai also expressed disappointment at the UNHCRs slow response to the problems faced by Burmese refugees.

When we contacted them, they did not know anything about it (the two womens detention). They promised help but so far, we have not seen it, said Bwai who has been living in Malaysia for the past eight years.

It is hard for us to get the status as refugees but even for those who are successful, their papers are not recognised, said Bwai.

UNHCR officials were unavailable for comment.

The Rohingyas and Chins are minority groups in Burma. Many fled their country alleging ethnic and religious persecution by the ruling Burmese military junta. They also claim they have been denied their citizenship rights.

There are some 10,000 to 15,000 Rohingyas living as illegal immigrants in Malaysia. Another 10,000 Chins are also estimated to be staying illegally in the country.