An interest group for ethnic Rohinya is pleading with the Malaysian government to release their kin in detention centres ahead of the Ramadan month.

 

Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (MERHROM) Zadar Ahmad Abdul Ghani said due to the slow process for Rohingya who have fled Myanmar to register as refugees in Kuala Lumpur, many have been detained by Malaysian authorities in detention centres.

 

"As a result thousands of Rohingya are currently detained in detention camps. Some Rohingya have died in the detention camps and some have suffered serious diseases.

  

"For the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, we are hoping that the United Nations High Commission or Refugees (UNHCR) and the Malaysian government will release the Rohingya in detention so that they also can perform the religious duties in better conditions," he said in a statement today.

 

Zadar Ahmad said the Rohingyas, in fleeing persecution, had taken great risks to reach neighbouring countries.

 

"Many of our mosques and madrasahs have been burnt especially after the conflict in June 2012.

 

"Our religious rights have been taken away by the Myanmar government as they closed the mosques and do not allow us to perform our religious duties," he said.

 

The Myanmar government does not recognise the Rohingya community as citizens.

 

Since 2012, there have been several violent conflicts in clashes between the majority Buddhist community with the minority Rohingya community in Myanmar.