'M'sia being used as a boat people dumping ground'
Lee Chin SuetPublished: Jul 25, 2011 9:18 AM | Updated: Jul 25, 2011 9:49 AM
Prominent NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Australia of using Malaysia as a “dumping ground for boat people” it does not want in a refugee exchange deal signed early this afternoon.
Prominent NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Australia of using Malaysia as a “dumping ground for boat people” it does not want in a refugee exchange deal signed early this afternoon.
“In the process, Australia is walking away from its commitments to follow the 1951 Refugees Convention,” said Phil Robertson, a deputy director of HRW.
“For Malaysia, this is a money talks kind of deal, and for Australia, it’s a desperate move by a government with falling poll numbers seeking political traction on the backs of vulnerable people seeking refuge.”
The deal consented to swap 800 future irregular maritime arrivals from Australia with 4,000 UNHCR-recognised refugees from Malaysia over the next four years.
“Malaysia’s poor track record in providing even base protections for refugees means that the 800 asylum seekers who will be sent from Australia under the agreement face grave risks,” Robertson added.
Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez (right) said that the agreement was “clouded with racism and secrecy”.
“Australia, a country which has had high standards in human rights protection in the region is rolling backwards quite rapidly by entering into this swap deal with Malaysia that has a brutal record of human rights violations especially with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants,” she said in a press statement.
“Australia, together with other countries, must act to address the root causes for the increase of refugees in the world and not turn vulnerable communities into commodities for political gain tainted with racism.
“Tenaganita condemns today’s swap deal signed between Australia and Malaysia in spite of growing protests over such deals, as it paves the road for the development of human rights violation, increases discrimination and goes against the basic principles of refugee protection,” she added.
‘Unanswered concerns and issues’
The agreement was signed despite the many concerns and issues raised by many stakeholders and NGOs which were left unanswered by both governments, said Amnesty International (AI) Malaysia.
“As of now, it is very disappointing to note that both governments have yet to be transparent on the details of the agreement,” said its executive director Nora Murat in a press statement.
“Human beings are not cattle that can be transported or be dealt with. The very nature of the swap also calls into question the dehumanising process of swapping refugees,” she said.
In an AI report entitled ‘Abuse and abandoned: Refugees denied rights in Malaysia’, released in June last year, it recorded the poor living conditions in detention centres across Malaysia that led to serious illnesses.
According to the rights group, Malaysia’s lack of recognition and differentiation between refugees, asylum seekers, and irregular migrants leave prospective refugees subjected to criminal penalties, caning, harassment, and extortion.
Tenaganita added: “Malaysia has an ingrained political habit of demonising refugees and denying them basic right like the right to livelihood, education and access to healthcare.”
“In the process, Australia is walking away from its commitments to follow the 1951 Refugees Convention,” said Phil Robertson, a deputy director of HRW.
“For Malaysia, this is a money talks kind of deal, and for Australia, it’s a desperate move by a government with falling poll numbers seeking political traction on the backs of vulnerable people seeking refuge.”
The deal consented to swap 800 future irregular maritime arrivals from Australia with 4,000 UNHCR-recognised refugees from Malaysia over the next four years.
“Malaysia’s poor track record in providing even base protections for refugees means that the 800 asylum seekers who will be sent from Australia under the agreement face grave risks,” Robertson added.
Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez (right) said that the agreement was “clouded with racism and secrecy”.“Australia, a country which has had high standards in human rights protection in the region is rolling backwards quite rapidly by entering into this swap deal with Malaysia that has a brutal record of human rights violations especially with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants,” she said in a press statement.
“Australia, together with other countries, must act to address the root causes for the increase of refugees in the world and not turn vulnerable communities into commodities for political gain tainted with racism.
“Tenaganita condemns today’s swap deal signed between Australia and Malaysia in spite of growing protests over such deals, as it paves the road for the development of human rights violation, increases discrimination and goes against the basic principles of refugee protection,” she added.
‘Unanswered concerns and issues’
The agreement was signed despite the many concerns and issues raised by many stakeholders and NGOs which were left unanswered by both governments, said Amnesty International (AI) Malaysia.
“As of now, it is very disappointing to note that both governments have yet to be transparent on the details of the agreement,” said its executive director Nora Murat in a press statement.
“Human beings are not cattle that can be transported or be dealt with. The very nature of the swap also calls into question the dehumanising process of swapping refugees,” she said.
In an AI report entitled ‘Abuse and abandoned: Refugees denied rights in Malaysia’, released in June last year, it recorded the poor living conditions in detention centres across Malaysia that led to serious illnesses.
According to the rights group, Malaysia’s lack of recognition and differentiation between refugees, asylum seekers, and irregular migrants leave prospective refugees subjected to criminal penalties, caning, harassment, and extortion.
Tenaganita added: “Malaysia has an ingrained political habit of demonising refugees and denying them basic right like the right to livelihood, education and access to healthcare.”
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