Stop deporting Myanmar refugees, NGO pleads with govt

The Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in Malaysia (Merhrom) has appealed to the government to not deport 150 Myanmar asylum seekers as their lives would be at risk.

Despite reports that these 150 refugees were deported, the group is unsure whether this was the case.

Merhrom president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to find solutions for Myanmar refugees seeking protection in Southeast Asian countries as the genocide committed by the Myanmar junta is still ongoing.

“We would like to reiterate that refugees are not a threat to any countries,” said Zafar (above).

“We were forced to flee war, genocide and persecution back home and seek refuge in the countries we believe can protect our faith and lives.”

Zafar also says that if countries had clear and comprehensive refugee policies, it would benefit both refugees and host countries’ citizens.

“We are frustrated to see the United Nations (UN) failing to stop the genocide against the minority Rohingya in Myanmar,” said the NGO president.

“While the UN and other world leaders highlight refugee issues around the world, the plight of Rohingya refugees is always left forgotten.”

The NGO seeks that all applications for refugee status must be given fair consideration - regardless of race, religion, gender or country of origin.

“Seeking asylum is a human right. Anyone fleeing persecution, conflict or human rights abuses has a right to seek protection in another country,” said Zafar.

They also implored the UN and international communities to stop the genocide towards Myanmar minorities rather than look for more budgets to cope with the increased numbers of refugees.

The deportations are seen as a contradictory stance following Malaysia's criticism of Myanmar's military.

More than 100,000 Rohingya Muslims who fled Myanmar for safety now reside in Malaysia.

According to Reuters, Myanmar's embassy in Malaysia said in a post on Facebook that 150 Myanmar nationals were deported by plane on Oct 6 in cooperation with immigration authorities.

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