UNHCR to decide on fate of 9 Burmese who barged into its grounds

comments     Yap Mun Ching     Published     Updated

A group of Burmese immigrants who entered the compound of the United Nations refugee agency this morning in an attempt to gain official asylum will be allowed to stay overnight pending a decision by the agency.

The nine adults and two children from the Burmese Rohingya community arrived at 8:30am and forced their way into the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) pleading asylum and resettlement in third countries.

When met at the UNHCR, asylum seeker Mohd Zafar Ahmad, 30, said the group intends to stay in the compound until further action by the refugee agency.

"I cannot be in my own country, I cannot stay in Malaysia. We just want the UNHCR to resolve the situation," said Zafar, who has been living in Malaysia for the past five years.

The Rohingyas are a Muslim community originating from the northwestern Burmese state of Arakan, who have fled their homeland due to ethnic and religious persecution by the Rangoon military junta. They have also been denied citizenship by the Burmese government.

According to Zafar, several police officers arrived at the UNHCR about half and hour after they entered the compound but some have since left, leaving a small presence of about two to three officers.

Interviewed by AFP reporters earlier today, the police reportedly said no action would be taken pending the decision of the UNHCR.

Taken away by police

However, Din Mohamad ( pictured here second from right ), another Rohingya asylum seeker, said several men were taken away by the police this morning as they attempted to approach the UNHCR later. However, he was unable to confirm the number of persons arrested.

Describing how the asylum seekers entered the compound this morning, Din said, "One of us was here for an interview. When they opened the gate for him, we pushed the door open."

The 34-year-old who has been living undocumented in Malaysia for the past six years said he has been interviewed by two UNHCR officials but was told that the assessment can only be completed in another 24 hours.

"We will wait here for them. We cannot leave now. If we leave the compound, we will be arrested by the police," he said gesturing at the police patrol car parked near the UNHCR entrance.

The Burmese, who are waiting at a 10m-by-5m fenced area near the UNHCR gate, claimed they have not been provided with any food or water since this morning.

"We (the adults) can wait but we worry about the children," Din added.

The Rohingyas were, however, able to purchase some food in the late afternoon when a bread vendor arrived at the UNHCR.

Meanwhile, UNHCR officials were unavailable for comment.

Today's incident is the second attempt this year by Rohingya groups to gain asylum by entering the refugee agency's compound.

In January, a group of 28 Rohingyas invaded the UNHCR grounds but upon failing to qualify as the agency's mandate refugees, they were later handed over to Malaysian authorities and deported to Thailand.



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