Myanmar refugee activist abducted in M’sia, group calls for urgent probe

Myanmar refugee activist Thuzar Maung and her family have reportedly been abducted in Kuala Lumpur, leading Human Rights Watch (HRW) to call on Malaysian authorities for immediate investigation.

The abduction allegedly occurred at the family’s residence in Ampang Jaya on July 4.

Maung (above, right) is known for being a staunch supporter of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement and has also worked closely with Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government.

She is also the current chair of the Myanmar Muslim Refugee Community and the Myanmar Migrant Workers Committee.

In a statement today, HRW Asia director Elaine Pearson urged the Malaysian government to urgently locate Maung - who fled to Malaysia in 2015 amid hostilities against Myanmar Muslims - and her family.

“We fear that Maung and her family were abducted in a planned operation and are at grave risk,” she said.

No signs of robbery

Citing CCTV footage and reports from witnesses, HRW said a group of unidentified individuals - allegedly pretending to be police - entered the family’s gated community neighbourhood around 4.30pm.

“Two hours later, Maung was on the phone with a friend, who heard her yelling to her husband that unknown men were entering the house before being disconnected,” the HRW said.

The NGO said the abductor’s vehicle was seen leaving the compound around 7.10pm, along with two cars owned by Maung’s family.

Vehicle logs from the neighbourhood security guard booth noted that the same car had entered the community on June 19, prior to the abduction, they said.

No signs of robbery were reported when colleagues entered the house on July 5.

The HRW said Maung’s friends and colleagues noted that she might have been targeted for her activism.

Emphasising the need for urgent action, Pearson stated that foreign governments should also pressure Malaysian authorities to locate the abducted family.

“Myanmar activists are apparently at risk even when they criticise the military junta from a country where they have sought asylum,” said Pearson.

Police in Kuala Lumpur have since launched an investigation into the case, according to HRW.

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