On Int'l Migrants Day, G25 urges govt to recognise refugees

G25 Malaysia has urged the government to accede to the United Nations Refugee Convention of 1951, a move that would accord recognition to refugees who are currently in Malaysia while awaiting resettlement.

In conjunction with the United Nations’ International Migrants Day, G25 lauded a recent call by Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Munawir for the government to review its policies which deny refugee children or stateless persons access to formal education. 

“We call on the government to take comprehensive measures to this end and to particularly consider implementing the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration adopted in Morocco in 2018, of which Malaysia is a state party.

“We urge the new government to become a global leader in this field and show our caring attitude, compassion, and competence,” said G25.

At the same time, G25 also urged the current government to make public and implement the Report of the Independent Committee on the Recruitment and Management of Foreign Workers 2019 - commissioned during Pakatan Harapan’s first stint in government after the 14th general election.

“Sadly, this report was never made public (let alone implemented) despite repeated calls to do so by G25 and other civil society organisations,” noted the group.

Through close cooperation with UN agencies, G25 said arrangements can be made for refugees to be relocated to other countries, while some may prefer to go back to their own country voluntarily under safer circumstances than when they fled.

For those remaining here, G25 said the current overcrowded Immigration detention centres need to be urgently reviewed. 

“They should be transformed into community centres for humanity with health services, education, and skills development facilities,” said the group.

On Monday, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) shot down Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s response to allegations of ill-treatment of detainees in the Kimanis Detention Centre in Sabah.

LFL director Zaid Malek said it was unacceptable and contrary to good governance for the Home Ministry to dismiss outright a very serious complaint on video by a detainee.

Saifuddin Nasution in an initial response to the video said it was unfair to “overplay” the issue before the full facts behind the video - showing a migrant who complained of a lack of food, water, and medical attention - have been established.

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