In the wake of another Burmese Chin child going missing, a human rights organisation has urged the government to own up to its obligations in protecting all refugee and undocumented children.

Biak Cin Thang, 15, walked out of his family's apartment on Jalan Imbi in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday at about 4pm and has not returned since.

He is the second Burmese Chin child to have gone missing since seven-year old refugee Dally Sui disappeared on March 20 and was later found dead near her family's home in Cheras. Her killer was never found.

According to the Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO), Biak arrived in Malaysia with his younger brother after his father was killed on the Indo-Burma border while serving in the Chin National Front (CNF).

Biak was under the care of his aunt when he walked out of the family home last week.

In a statement issued today from its Chiang Mai office in Thailand, CHRO said it had urged action and demanded that the Malaysian government protect all children living within its borders after the disappearance and murder of Dally.

"Now, with the recent disappearance of Biak, CHRO renews this call," it said.

Government must do more

According to CHRO, there are currently over 500 Chin children living in Malaysia. Most of their days are spent indoors, afraid or prohibited by their parents from venturing outside.

Compounding their vulnerability to abduction and other crimes in general is the risk of arrest, detention, and deportation by the Malaysian authorities for being "illegal".

Malaysia - which is not party to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees - does not have a policy granting recognition to asylum-seekers or refugees.

The Malaysian government must do more to protect and promote the rights of children, said the CHRO.

Under its obligations in regards to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of which Malaysia is a signatory, the government has a responsibility to uphold and ensure the rights of all children - including refugee and undocumented children - are protected, it said.

"The case of Dally Sui and Biak Cin Thang reflects the lack of adequate protection for the most vulnerable members of the community," said the group.

CHRO called for the authorities to launch proper investigations into the disappearance of Biak and to ensure that such acts of violence are not committed with impunity.

It also urged Malaysia to respect and uphold its international legal obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to stop the arrest and detention of refugee children and their mothers.

Refugee children and their parents must be immediately and unconditionally released from detention centres, it added.