Suaram urges govt to stop deportation of Egyptian rights activist

Rights group Suaram has called on the government to cease any deportation plans against Egyptian human rights defender and asylum seeker Ahmed Hassanine Mohamed Mousa.

This is after the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 14 granted Ahmed’s application for a stay of deportation, according to Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.

The court also granted Ahmed access to his lawyers and representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to complete his refugee registration application submitted on Oct 20 last year.

“Suaram applauds the Kuala Lumpur High Court for this decision.

“Deportation would significantly threaten Ahmed’s life and freedom as he has been arrested, tortured, and arbitrarily detained by Egyptian authorities for his involvement in peaceful protests prior to seeking asylum in Malaysia,” said Sevan.

“The court decision is also crucial in enabling Ahmed to exercise his fundamental right of access to justice, which has been systematically denied by immigration authorities whilst in detention,” he said.

Govt taking the right steps

Sevan noted that the government has demonstrated itself to be capable of operationalising the principle of non-refoulement, via acceptance of a May 29 consent judgment to not detain or remove Bangladeshi UNHCR-registered refugee MA Quayum.

He said Malaysia has also shown the political will to improve the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the country, with full acceptance of recommendations received from Canada and Germany in the Fourth Universal Periodic Review cycle. 

“Suaram is thus hopeful to see the full compliance of the court order by the Immigration Department and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail by immediately ceasing any plans to deport Ahmed and provide access to his lawyers and UNHCR representatives,” said Sevan.

He added such actions would be significant steps in the direction of institutionalising a more compassionate and rights-based approach towards all refugees and asylum seekers, regardless of their registration status.

COMMENT | We owe migrant workers gratitude for building our world

M'sia will not ratify UN Convention against Torture, minister says

COMMENT | Cautiously optimistic of new human rights pledges

LETTER | Stateless kids have right to education too

UN urges govt to restore monitoring access to detention centres

LETTER | Create a humane framework to manage asylum seekers and refugees