COMMENT | The World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20 to raise awareness about the plight of refugees around the world, with this year’s theme “Every Action Counts”.

It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the struggles the community face and to consider how Malaysians treat refugees within its borders.

It is also a day for us to reflect on the contributions of refugees to our nation’s economic development and celebrate their courage and resilience in the face of extreme hardships.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is particularly disappointed having observed a rise in online hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric in recent months, coinciding with the immigration raids and detention of refugees and migrants.