Human rights group Suaram has alleged that Sri Lankan refugees were assaulted by officials from their high commission, in a bid to force them to sign a repatriation agreement.

sri lanka refugees civilians 290109 05 The alleged incident, said to involve at least four victims, was claimed to have taken place this morning at the Pekan Nenas Immigration Detention Centre in Johor.

In an immediate reaction, however, Deputy High Commissioner Maj Gen A Perara denied the allegation, explaining that he and his four-member team were at the detention camp as part of a "routine visit".

"Our visit has nothing to do with repatriation. That is up to the Malaysian government to decide. We will not interfere," he said when contacted.

Perara said the visit was intended to check on the welfare of the Sri Lankan nationals, numbering about 90. He said they are being well treated and extended his gratitude to the Malaysian authorities.

He claimed that the nationals are victims of a human smuggling syndicate who were to be smuggled to Australia, before they were detained in Malaysia.

Suaram coordinator Temme Lee said in a statement that the assault victims have been recognised as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Lee said the Malaysian authorities must respect UNHCR recognised refugees and refrain from detaining those with valid documents.

"We demand that the Malaysian government fully respects the international customary law of non-refoulement , which prohibits the return of people to places where they may face persecution or threats to their life or freedoms," said Lee.

Additionally, Lee also urged the government to release all 108 Sri Lankan refugees and other detainees with legitimate refugee documents, to the care of UNHCR.

Despite hosting a UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia does not recognise refugees in most circumstances. However, prosecution of document-holders has been inconsistent.

Hunger strike?

Suaram also claimed that the Sri Lankans include 10 women and 10 children. One woman is eight months pregnant.

One of the women has been on hunger strike since Oct 13 in protest of her detention. Fourteen others, including the other nine women, joined her today, according to Suaram.

Commenting on the hunger strike, human rights commissioner N Sivasubramaniam said he hoped UNHCR would negotiate with the Home Ministry for the release of those holding valid documents.

"They are victims of war and are here to seek temporary shelter. I hope the authorities can release them from detention on humanitarian grounds, especially the women and children," he said.

The Sri Lankan government had fought a war for 26 years with the Tamil Tigers, but effectively destroyed the separatist movement in May with an all-out attack that left its leaders dead.

About 275,000 civilians - most of them Tamils from the north-east - were displaced during the final weeks of the conflict and are being held in camps, although some have been allowed to return to their homes.