Did our Prime Minister just say that Malaysia will be sending back refugees to the country that they fled from?
'...Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told Asean leaders today that Malaysia wants Myanmar asylum seekers, including Rohingya refugees, to be granted "safe return" due to “anti-refugee sentiments” in the country....'
Even, if Malaysia can no longer house these asylum seekers/refugees, the Malaysia should maybe ask the UN or the UNHCR to immediately move them to some 3rd country ...OR Malaysia could make arrangements to send them to some third country - BUT NEVER MUST MALAYSIA send asylum seekers/refugees back to the countries they have fled from..
Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.
Refugees are defined and protected in international law. The 1951 Refugee Convention is a key legal document and defines a refugee as: “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.”
Let's also not forget about the principle of non-refoulement?
What is the principle of non-refoulement? The principle of non-refoulementforms an essential protection under international human rights, refugee, humanitarianand customary law. It prohibitsStates from transfer-ring or removing individuals from their jurisdiction or effective control when there are substantial grounds for believing that the person would be at risk of irreparableharm upon return, including persecution, torture, ill-treatmentor other serious human rights violations.
If our Prime Minister said this about Malaysia sending back refugees/asylum seekers back to the country they fled from, then he has just embarrassed Malaysia and all Malaysians, and it is time we have a new Prime Minister who will uphold justice and human rights.
It is interesting that PAS and BN did not come out with an alternative position - are they with Muhyiddin on this?
What about Pakatan Harapan and other Opposition parties - did they speak up...or did they think it was 'politically wise' not to speak up for asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia?
Historically, Malaysia is seen as a just and caring nation - and we opened our doors to many asylum seekers and refugees - and, now, that image is 'shattered' if our current PM said that Malaysia will send back this 'asylum seekers/refugees' back safely to the very country they fled from....mmmm. Hopefully, the PM will clarify this.
LATELY,
MALAYSIA just recently embarassed itself, when they proceeded to send back some 1,086 back to Myanmar despite there being a court order not to do so.
Did PM of DG Immigration even APOLOGIZE or 'justify' why Court Order ignored? Government goes against Court Order? What is the Judiciary's response?
Contempt of Court against DG of Immigration for deporting migrants despite court order? Recalling the 2001 contempt action against DG Immigration?
Then, of course, there is this still that 'SECRET' Royal Commission Inquiry report concerning Wang Kelian - where most probably the victims killed and/or detained(possibly tortured) were most likely victims of human trafficking. WHY we all must wonder?
Wang Kelian - Muhyiddin - DPM when it happened, then Home Minister after RCI done, now PM? What is the government HIDING?
Malaysia is and was a caring nation State - but now, under the PN-BN Plus government, is our government doing things that will affect our image?
Many may be busy combating Covid, but then such fundamental change in our countries values and principles cannot be ignored.
We know many Malaysians have lost employment and/or income - and it is the government's duty to help us out - have they done enough? The government is in control of the peoples' money - so, what is happening - are we still continuing to lose money due to kleptocracy, corruption, abuse of powers, etc?
Past/current government failures gets 'highlighted' during this Covid pandemic - schools closed and online classes > but did you know that so many Malaysian kids have NO computers, and some even have no internet access? How then do we effectively have online classes...Do you know that many parts in Malaysia still do not have fibre optic cables and are still using the old copper cables - where maximum internet you can get is 1 Gig...and Pahang has always been a BN state?
Citing rising xenophobia, PM wants 'safe return' for Myanmar refugees
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told Asean leaders today that Malaysia wants Myanmar asylum seekers, including Rohingya refugees, to be granted "safe return" due to “anti-refugee sentiments” in the country.
This is despite the currently violent political instability in Myanmar where the military is accused of opening fire at protestors.
Speaking at the Asean Leaders’ Meeting in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, he called for an end to the violence but also pointed out how regional nations like Malaysia were affected by it.
Muhyiddin said detention centres in Malaysia were more than full while xenophobia was high.
“Our resources and capacity are stretched in the management of refugees and asylum seekers, further compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our detention centres are now already overcrowded and the promise from third countries to resettle these displaced persons (has) not been forthcoming.
“Within Malaysia, they were once accorded sympathy, but the mood on the ground has turned from affinity to anger, with anti-refugee sentiment rapidly building up,” he said.
Expressing concern that the 200,000 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia were vulnerable to human traffickers and terrorist recruiters, Muhyiddin called for them to be returned to their country of origin.
“It is on that note that we strongly call for a voluntary, safe and dignified return of displaced persons to Myanmar and for all Asean member states to have a collective responsibility in handling displaced persons in this region.
“With the return to normalcy, we wish to see the continuation of the agreed repatriation mechanism reached between Bangladesh and Myanmar,” he said.
Malaysian law does not recognise refugees and often classifies them as undocumented migrants. They are not legally allowed to work or attend public schools.
Let Asean in
The Asean Leaders Meeting is controversial for according recognition to Myanmar’s junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who led a coup on Feb 1 to topple the country’s elected civilian government.
Chaired by Brunei ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the meeting’s aim is to seek a solution to the Myanmar crisis which has seen more than 700 people killed.
In his speech, Muhyiddin wanted an “immediate” stop to the violence and political dialogue between Myanmar and Asean.
He also reiterated Malaysia's call for all political detainees to be freed.
The Myanmar junta has continued to detain Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and several cabinet members.
“This would be a good starting point and ease international pressure on Myanmar and Asean,” he said.
He stressed that Asean must intervene and urged Myanmar to grant the bloc access to the country.
“This is much needed for Asean to provide an honest and unbiased observation.
“If Asean is allowed access, this can demonstrate to the world that it is on track in helping Myanmar restore normalcy in the country,” he said.
Muhyiddin
also proposed Asean collaborate with Myanmar to provide “regular
updates” and said the bloc would extend humanitarian help to those
affected by the crisis. - Malaysiakini, 24/4/2021
Muhyiddin: Asean principle of non-interference cannot be reason for inaction
KUALA LUMPUR: The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other members that is being upheld by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) should not be at the expense of ignoring a serious situation compromising peace, security, and stability of the bloc and its wider region.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although the principle of non-interference was embedded in the Asean charter, it should not be treated as justification for the inaction among the 10-member countries of the crisis that is taking place in Myanmar.
"This principle of non-interference is not for us to hide behind, it cannot be a reason for our inaction. The crisis that happens in one Asean member state is not going to solve itself without affecting other member states.
"There is a tremendous expectation on the part of the international community on how Asean is addressing the Myanmar issue. The pressure is increasing, and there is only so much that Asean can do."
The prime minister said this in his intervention at the in-person Asean leaders' summit in Indonesia today.
Chaired by Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the special meeting, which took place at the bloc's Jakarta headquarters, was held to discuss and find solution to the crisis that is enveloping in Myanmar.
Malaysia, said Muhyiddin, was "extremely concerned" about the situation unfolding in Myanmar in recent months and had wanted the country to de-escalate the situation on the ground and stop the killing and violence against civilians immediately.
The second of three proposals put forth by Malaysia during the summit was for the release political detainees promptly and unconditionally.
This, said Muhyiddin, would make way for a meaningful and inclusive political dialogue that would be a good starting point and ease international pressure on Myanmar and Asean.
Malaysia also proposed for the Asean chair and the bloc secretary-general to have access into Myanmar including to all the parties concerned, which the prime minister described as the step forward to resolve the crisis following the on-going protest against the February's military coup.
"This is much needed for Asean to provide an honest and unbiased observation.
"If Asean is allowed access, this can demonstrate to the world that it is on track in helping Myanmar restore normalcy in the country.
"And if Asean can provide regular updates with the full participation of Myanmar, this will demonstrate the willingness of the country to engage constructively and move forward," said Muhyiddin.
If the situation in Myanmar improves, he said, it would open the door for Asean to extend humanitarian assistance to those badly affected by the current situation.
"We fear a worsening situation in Myanmar will exacerbate spillover effects to the region including Malaysia," he said.
Malaysia, he said, had been greatly affected by the instability in Myanmar, not only recently, but for the past few decades.
He said Malaysia currently hosts around 200,000 displaced persons from Myanmar, particularly from the Rakhine State.
"Our resources and capacity are stretched in the management of refugees and asylum seekers, further compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Our detention centres are now already overcrowded, and the promise from third countries to resettle these displaced persons have not been forthcoming.
"Within Malaysia, they were once accorded sympathy, but the mood on the ground has turned from affinity to anger, with anti-refugee sentiment rapidly building up," he said, adding a prolonged displacement would make them vulnerable to be victims to human traffickers and terrorist recruiters.
Hence, Malaysia, said the prime minister, called for a voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons to Myanmar and for all Asean member states to have a collective responsibility in handling displaced persons in this region.
"With the return to normalcy, we wish to see the continuation of the
agreed repatriation mechanism reached between Bangladesh and Myanmar." - NST, 24/4/2021
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