An international lobby group comprising Burmese citizens have urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) here not to ignore the plight of 19 Burmese nationals, including the group's members, who are being held in the Sungai Buloh prison.

The Malaysian chapter of the US-based Democratic Federation of Burma (DFB) said the detainees, who have been accorded refugee status by UNHCR, are having a tough time in prison.

"But yet UNHCR is neglecting them," spokesperson Tommy Myint told malaysiakini yesterday.

According to Myint, he and several DFB members visited the 19 in prison and are concerned with their deteriorating health and the alleged worsening treatment by prison guards.

Contacted today, a UNHCR protection officer said the agency is working towards the resettlement of the detainees and have taken up their concerns with prison officials.

The 19 were arrested on May 17 for taking part in a pro-democracy demonstration outside the Burmese embassy in Kuala Lumpur without a police permit.

They were later charged with illegal entry into the country, and are still waiting for their case to be heard in court.

Monitor situation

Meanwhile, in letter to UNHCR from its headquarters in New York, DFB called on the refugee body to seriously look into the plight of the 19 by visiting them in prison and monitoring the situation.

"One of the imprisoned DFB members has already been hospitalised for suffering from mental distress and four others punished by prison officers for requesting to speak to UNHCR officials," read the letter.

It also alleged that the 19 are being punished by being confined in a unlit cell and fed one meal a day.

Responding, UNHCR said its officials visit the jail once a week and have met the 19 in question and are following up on their grievances.