Allocate funds for refugees’ basic needs, Suhakam urges govt

Suhakam says enforcement authorities must ensure that refugees coming forward to be tested for the virus are not arrested, regardless of their circumstances or status.

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called on Putrajaya to allocate funds to provide for the basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

It said the government should also set up temporary shelters for members of the community who could be evicted by their landlords.

In a statement today, Suhakam said the community was in great need for food and financial aid following the movement control order (MCO), implemented to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It added that the community, threatened by a lack of shelter and jobs, was also living in fear of getting arrested due to their status as refugees.

It said the lack of financial aid for the community meant that many were unable to pay their bills or rents, which exposed them to the risk of getting evicted.

“Given the lack of a legal right to work in Malaysia, most refugees tend to find a living by working within the informal sector. This provides limited employment protection, if any.

“Notwithstanding the necessity of implementing the MCO, it has left those working in the informal sector with no source of income for as long as it is in place,” it said.

The commission urged for humanitarian aid services to be classified as an essential service during the MCO to ensure better coordination and distribution of aid to those in need.

“Conditions imposed under the MCO, such as working with the Welfare Department for aid distribution, have drastically limited the NGOs’ access and ability to provide aid effectively.

“In addition, due to the roadblocks enforced, some aid meant for distribution has failed to reach those in dire need of food, daily sundry goods and funds.”

It also said the registration process for NGOs and civil societies with the Welfare Department should be made less bureaucratic.

Suhakam also said there were reports of refugees and asylum seekers getting arrested despite Putrajaya’s assurance that this would not happen during the pandemic.

“There is also the fear that coming forward during this period may lead to the possibility of being arrested once the crisis is over,” it said.

It said enforcement authorities must ensure that refugees coming forward to be tested for the virus are not arrested, regardless of their circumstances or status. - FMT