Don’t send us back to a war zone, Myanmar refugees appeal to govt

According to a report by Human Rights Watch published in October 2022, Malaysia deported about 2,000 Myanmar nationals, including asylum seekers, from April to October that year. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A coalition of groups representing minority Myanmar ethnicities has appealed to the Malaysian government not to deport any refugees back to their country, fearing for their safety amid the ongoing civil war.

The Coalition of Burma Ethnics Malaysia (Cobem) said it was making this appeal for all Myanmar refugees who have sought asylum here, not just minorities.

“It is not just ethnic minorities who are at risk. Anyone who supports democracy in Myanmar is faced with the decision of either staying in Myanmar at great risk or fleeing to another country,” said its coordinator, James La Seng.

La Seng said about 70% of the country has been affected by armed conflict amid the civil war, with ethnic minority areas particularly torn by conflicts between ethnic armed groups and the military.

While many have decided to flee to Malaysia, he said, some found themselves being detained as undocumented migrants and end up getting deported to Myanmar.

This is despite some possessing refugee cards from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), he said at a panel discussion held at a World Refugee Day event today.

“We thank the Malaysian government for its long-standing commitment to offering a safe haven for refugees, even though it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its related protocols.

“We need your help now, more than ever. Don’t send us back to a war zone. Give our communities some time to stay in Malaysia, and we will try our best to contribute to Malaysia while we are here,” he said.

Katie Fung, a programme officer with rights group Tenaganita, also urged Putrajaya to have more sympathy for Myanmar refugees and to understand their predicament, saying the situation will lead to more refugees seeking asylum in Malaysia.

“This requires a collective humanitarian response from all actors, including the Malaysian government, UNHCR and civil society organisations,” said Fung, who was also on the panel.

Cobem includes the Arakan Refugee Relief Committee, Alliance for Chin Refugees, Chin Refugee Committee, Kachin Refugee Committee and Malaysia Karen Organisation, among others.

The coalition was formed in 2007 in view of the needs of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia.

Previously, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Malaysia had never deported UNHCR cardholders, saying those detained by the immigration department would be released to the commission on humanitarian grounds.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch published in October 2022, Malaysia deported about 2,000 Myanmar nationals, including asylum seekers, from April to October that year.

Saifuddin maintained that such deportations were carried out in accordance with the immigration’s SOPs, while working with the respective foreign embassies.