Amnesty calls for halt to Rayhan's deportation
Amnesty International has sharply criticised the government's move to deport Md Rayhan Kabir, the Bangladeshi migrant worker in Malaysia who gave an interview critical of the government in the Al Jazeera documentary "Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown".
"The Malaysian government is clearly using immigration law and threats of deportation to silence criticism of their mistreatment of undocumented migrants and refugees.
"It is shocking that...
Amnesty International has sharply criticised the government's move to deport Md Rayhan Kabir, the Bangladeshi migrant worker in Malaysia who gave an interview critical of the government in the Al Jazeera documentary "Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown".
"The Malaysian government is clearly using immigration law and threats of deportation to silence criticism of their mistreatment of undocumented migrants and refugees.
"It is shocking that these already marginalised communities are criminalised and punished for speaking up about the experiences they face," said Preethi Bhardwaj, interim executive director of Amnesty International Malaysia (AI-M).
She called on the government to halt the deportation and address issues facing migrant workers instead.
Rayhan was arrested on July 24 by the Immigration Department and had since been handed over to the police, which later returned him to the Department's custody.
Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud on July 25 was reported as saying that Rayhan would be repatriated and blacklisted from entering Malaysia.
Police have opened investigation papers under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over the documentary.
Yesterday Rayhan expressed his willingness to be deported back to his home country and he apologised for his statement in the interview with Al Jazeera, according to his lawyers.
"He had no intention to accuse the authorities and he is keen to go back to join his family whenever the authorities decide to send him back," his lawyer C Selvaraja (below) told reporters.
Preethi said that these events have set a chilling precedent for the limits on freedom of expression for everyone in Malaysia.
"Nobody should have to fear reprisal for expressing an opinion, and in Rayhan’s case, simply for recounting what he witnessed.
"Authorities must ensure that the right to freedom of expression can be enjoyed by all, regardless of race and nationality. We urge the government to reverse its decision to revoke Rayhan’s work permit and deport him," said Preethi.
“Rayhan Kabir’s testimony only serves to shine more light on the terrible treatment of undocumented migrants and refugees in Malaysia, especially in recent times," she added.
AI-M called on the government to end its crackdown on migrant workers and release those detained in immigration detention centres.
"The government must coordinate across ministries, agencies, and civil society organisations to formulate suitable policies to address the issue of undocumented workers, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, that is in line with international law and standards," Preethi added.
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