Migrant Rights Groups Urge Govt To Engage On Refugee Issues

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Migrant rights groups urged the government to increase engagement with refugee community leaders in response to the latest immigration raid in Kajang yesterday.
Alliance Of Chin Refugees former chairperson James Bawi Thang Bik and Beyond Borders president Mahi Ramakrishnan said while Malaysia has condemned Myanmar's junta, the authorities still continue to raid migrants and refugees living here.
"The recent raid by the immigration, where officers broke down doors and cut through locks, is an abuse of power and unwarranted.
"We saw women, children and men who are forced migrants being hauled up.
“We also saw the media with their cameras, despite the fact that it’s intrusive and takes a whack at their dignity," they said in a joint statement today.
Online portal Malaysia Gazette yesterday reported that the Immigration Department inspected 425 migrants and arrested 175 undocumented people in a midnight raid at Kompleks Hentian Kajang.
It was mentioned that the authorities resorted to breaking into several premises where residents had denied them entry.
Those arrested reportedly include ethnic Shan refugees from Myanmar, who are UNHCR card holders.
"It’s important for us to keep drumming it to the government and our immigration that seeking asylum and crossing borders in search of better job opportunities is not a crime.
"Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government condemns the Myanmar military, sits on the UN Human Rights Council and champions the Palestinian cause but treats refugees in our country as sub-humans," said James and Mahi.
"What we really need is for the government to engage with refugee and migrant community leaders. We can always discuss and come to a consensus.
“But the onus is on the government. It needs to choose between being progressive or abusive," they added. - Mkini

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