UNHCR concerned over plans to expel Aceh asylum seekers

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GENEVA - UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers has voiced concern to Malaysia over its plans to expel some 250 asylum seekers, including women and children, who fled the war-torn Indonesian province of Aceh.

In a statement Thursday, Lubbers said the plans outlined in "persistent reports" ran counter to assurances provided by the Malaysian authorities, according to which the asylum seekers "would not be returned to a situation which could endanger their lives and well-being".

In recent weeks several hundred asylum seekers fled Aceh and were arrested as they approached UNHCR offices in Kuala Lumpur. They remain in detention .

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