Suhakam Arrests Despite Assurances Deterring Refugees From Testing For Covid 19

---

CORONAVIRUS | Continued arrests of refugees without documentation despite assurances, is deterring the community from coming forward for Covid-19 tests, says the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam)
"Despite the government’s assurances that there will be no arrests or detention during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, it was reported that arrests of refugees and asylum seekers, particularly persons of concern who have yet to receive their United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) documentation, did indeed still occur
"There is a persistent fear of arrest and an inability to afford healthcare fees amongst the refugee and asylum seekers community
"This has resulted in delays in coming forward for medical examination or, with respect to those related to the tabligh cluster, to obtain Covid-19 tests
"There are also fears that coming forward in this period may lead to the possibility of being arrested once the crisis is over," it said in a statement today
Suhakam added that many of the refugees, who do not have a legal right to work and rely on the informal sector, can no longer earn an income during the movement control order (MCO)
Many of the refugees and asylum seekers are reliant on welfare through NGOs but the movements of such NGOs are being drastically limited during the MCO, it said. As such, Suhakam urged the government to clearly communicate its message to refugees and asylum seekers, including by translating its messages into several languages
It also stressed that enforcement agencies should understand that no arrest should be made for anyone coming forward for Covid-19 testing, regardless of circumstances or status
Suhakam also urged the government to be less bureaucratic in managing NGOs distributing aid to the needy
"In line with Article 23 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951, Suhakam hopes that the government would review its current policies, to include vulnerable communities, particularly refugees and asylum seekers in their Covid-19 response plan
"Suhakam strongly supports the honourable prime minister’s pledge as articulated in the March 27 speech, that no one will be left behind; which should encompass vulnerable communities as well," it said
Malaysia had been under a partial lockdown since March 18 to curb the spread of Covid-19
Under the MCO, all non-essential businesses and services must close while people are only allowed to leave their homes for approved reasons
Foreigners are also not allowed into the country while Malaysians cannot leave. - Mkini

---