WORLD Refugee Day on June 20 commemorates the courage, strength, bravery and resilience of asylum seekers and refugees around the world who are forced to flee their homes and/or countries to seek refuge from conflict and persecution. 

According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia, as at the end of last month, there are about 181,300 registered refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. A total of 157,100 are from Myanmar and the rest are from 50 other countries. Some 66% are men and 34% women with 48,820 being children below the age of 18. 

Malaysia has been home to many asylum seekers and refugees since the mid 1970s. Four plus decades on, Malaysia has yet to implement a comprehensive legal and administrative framework to manage the growing number of asylum seekers and refugees in the country. These communities remain vulnerable at home, work and in public and are subjected to harassment from authorities and labour exploitation from employers. 

Hakam notes concern with the anti-refugee sentiment including threatening harm to refugees being disseminated on social media and other platforms. There has been no action taken against those who spread hatred and xenophobia against refugees and asylum seekers. 

Hakam is further gravely concerned that refugees and asylum seekers including women and children continue to be detained in immigration detention centres. Hakam notes that UNHCR has been denied access to the depots since August 2019. This has resulted in UNCHR being unable to ascertain and confirm individuals in need of international protection including those seeking asylum. 

Hakam urges the Malaysian government, in line with its Madani concept of respect, care and compassion, to: 

• Implement a comprehensive legal and administrative framework which includes the right for asylum seekers and refugees to live and legally work without fear, discrimination and exploitation; 
• Implement a moratorium on the detention of asylum seekers and refugees and allow UNHCR access to the detention centres to fulfil their mandate; 
• Allow refugee children the right to access affordable education and healthcare; 
• Take the appropriate enforcement action to stop the spread of xenophobia and hatred against refugees and asylum seekers; and 
• Ratify and accede to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. 

Hakam hopes the 2023 World Refugee Day theme “Hope away from home: A world where refugees are always included” becomes a reality for asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia. – June 20, 2023.

* M. Ramachelvam is president of National Human Rights Society. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.