Tenaganita wants gov't to protect rights of Chin refugees
Migrant rights group Tenaganita has urged the government to ensure the rights of refugees from Chin, Myanmar are protected.
Its executive director Glorene Das cited access to formal education for their children, healthcare and jobs as among the rights which needed to be guaranteed.
Migrant rights group Tenaganita has urged the government to ensure the rights of refugees from Chin, Myanmar are protected.
Its executive director Glorene Das cited access to formal education for their children, healthcare and jobs as among the rights which needed to be guaranteed.
Das said this was especially important for underaged child refugees and those who needed immediate medical care.
"We would like to request the government to fulfil these requests to allow the refugees to live a better life," Das (below) told a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.
The group's concern for the Chin refugees came following the UN High Commission for Refugees' (UNHCR) decision to end refugee status for Chin refugees effective Dec 31, 2019.
The UNHCR made the announcement in June last year following its finding that the Chin state was now safe for their return.
However, this month, the UNHCR decided to halt the process for Chin refugees.
It has been reported that there are about 15,000 Chin refugees in Malaysia.
Das said that after the UNHCR made their announcement last year, some UNHCR refugee identification cards of the refugees were withdrawn putting them at risk when confronted by authorities.
In Malaysia, the UNHCR card is not legally recognised. However, the government has in principle directed enforcement agencies in the country not to detain refugees carrying a UNCHR card.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.