THE National Human Rights Society (Hakam) commemorates World Refugee Day, celebrated every year on June 20, to honour all refugees and asylum seekers who have fled their countries for fear of persecution.
In line with the theme this year, Solidarity with Refugees – For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed, Hakam stands in solidarity with millions of refugees around the world, calling on governments to cease conflicts and keep borders open to welcome the most vulnerable seeking refuge.
In Malaysia, as of the end of May, there are 189,340 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Males make up 65% of these numbers and females make up 35%.
Some 166,290 people are from Myanmar and the remaining are from 50 different countries. Overall, there are 52,810 children below the age of 18.
Although Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, as a member of the United Nations, Malaysia is bound to uphold the rights and protection of refugees and asylum seekers in accordance with international human rights obligations.
Hakam calls upon the Malaysian government to:
– take a strong stand as a member of Asean and as the next chairman of Asean in 2025 to call for peace and stability and to address Rohingya’s marginalisation and statelessness under Myanmar citizenship laws;
– address stakeholders’ concerns that, since August 2019, the Malaysian government has yet to allow UNHCR access to immigration detention centres to determine those in need of international protection. Hakam urges the government to work with UNHCR and civil society groups to find alternative solutions to detention;
– allow asylum seekers and refugees in the country to work legally to enable the community to be self-reliant and contribute to the Malaysian economy;
– legally recognise community learning centres and alternative learning centres to enable refugee children to be educated; and
– commence consultations and dialogues with stakeholders to develop a roadmap to create a humane framework that will manage the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in a more comprehensive and effective manner in Malaysia, with the ultimate goal of ratifying the 1951 Convention of Refugees.
Hakam remains concerned about anti-refugee rhetoric and hate speech against refugee communities, which heightened during the Covid-19 pandemic and continues unabated.
We urge the Malaysian government to address this issue on an urgent basis to promote understanding and awareness among the local population about the situation of refugees. – June 20, 2024
Datuk Seri M. Ramachelvam is Hakam president