/file/publisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97/2020/05/4a942d624561b5d068755409acaac8fa.jpg)
Groups fear M'sia deporting asylum seekers to face torture in Myanmar
Groups advocates for refugee rights in Malaysia have raised the alarm over what they say is the Immigration Department's plan to deport 135 Myanmarese nationals, who may include asylum seekers.
The Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR) and Beyond Border Malaysia said it has written to the department this morning seeking to intervene on the matter.
"Our concern is that the 135 detainees may comprise members of Civil Disobedience Movement as this heightens the possibility of torture, incarceration or even murder by the military leadership...
Groups advocates for refugee rights in Malaysia have raised the alarm over what they say is the Immigration Department's plan to deport 135 Myanmarese nationals, who may include asylum seekers.
The Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR) and Beyond Border Malaysia said it has written to the department this morning seeking to intervene on the matter.
"Our concern is that the 135 detainees may comprise members of Civil Disobedience Movement as this heightens the possibility of torture, incarceration or even murder by the military leadership that has been acting with impunity since the beginning of last year.
"Deporting any person to a place where they are likely to face persecution also violates the non-refoulement principle that the Malaysian government is bound by.
"We do not need to elaborate about the possible persecution and violence anyone deported to Myanmar would face, especially given the ongoing coup that has seen thousands killed or imprisoned," the groups said in a statement today.
The group also urges the authorities to not use national security as an excuse to deport asylum seekers whose lives are at stake.
"We therefore hope to be able to secure a meeting with the DG soonest and thank the immigration chief in advance for his time," they said.
The Malaysian law does not recognise refugees and asylum seekers and considers them undocumented migrants, placing them at risk of deportation.
However, the United Nations agency for refugees, UNHCR said Malaysia is host to 181,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
A total 85 percent are from Myanmar, including some 103,000 Rohingyas, UNHCR said.
Many are in Malaysia awaiting resettlement in a third country, but the wait can take many years.
/file/publisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97/2022/04/6b69261dc1d3285e988300d58ae9b73f.jpg)
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.