Brisk registration at UNHCR as deadline nears
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expedited the processing of asylum applications from illegal immigrants who are just hours away from facing harsh punishments under new immigration laws.
UNHCR Protection Officer Shinji Kubo said although the agency is used to receiving such requests, the number shot up over the week, prompting them to process requests promptly.
"We are speeding up the procedure so there is less of a crowd hanging around outside the building now. We have been registering roughly 100 to 200 people per day," he said when contacted.
Hundreds of asylum seekers, mainly Burmese Ronhingyas and Acehnese, have gathered at the UN agency's office in Kuala Lumpur since Monday in fear of the new immigration law which takes effect tomorrow.
Under the amended Immigration Act, illegal immigrants can face mandatory whipping, a fine up to RM10,000 or a jail term up to five years.
Those registered with the agency are issued an official letter bearing their name, age and country of origin. They are also scheduled for an interview which will assess their asylum claims.
Although the letter does not allow illegal immigrants to work or live in the country, or exempt them from detention, it does offer a little consolation as UNHCR will try and ensure that those detained are not forcibly deported before their asylum claims are assessed.
Kubo explained that laws here apply to all illegal immigrants regardless of whether they have registered with UNHCR or not.
"Our mandate is to carry out an assessment of their protection needs from forced repatriation.
"If they are detained, we would appeal to the government so that our assessment can be reasonably handled," he said.
Continue applying
Meanwhile, Burmese social worker Victor Sang said although the government's amnesty period expires tomorrow, Rohingyas would continue to approach UNHCR for asylum status.
"There are about 200 Rohingyas applying per day and they will continue to go tomorrow," he told malaysiakini .
The Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim ethnic community who fled Burma alleging persecution by the military government. An estimated 10,000 Rohingyas are currently living in Malaysia, and many have been here for at least 10 years.
About 10,000 Acehnese are also said to be living in refugee-like circumstances in Malaysia.
Most of them entered Malaysia illegally and claim to be fleeing from torture and ill-treatment by the Indonesian military
The fear for the new laws has sparked a massive exodus and thousands are seen swarming the country's ports every day.
The government estimated, prior to the exodus, that some 600,000 immigrants, mostly Indonesians, were working here illegally.
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