After Rome Statute pullout, MP sceptical of refugee treaty being ratified

After Putrajaya's withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Klang MP Charles Santiago feels that the country will not join others who have ratified the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of the Refugees.

Speaking at a panel during the 2019 Refugee Festival in George Town yesterday, Santiago said that refugees would now have to depend on other international conventions for the protection of their rights.

“For example, Malaysia is party to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which applies to all nationalities including refugees, especially in terms of education and healthcare.

“Malaysia has also signed on to a variety of documents in Asean, which may not specify refugees, but have been used to address cases in the Rakhine and Chin states in Myanmar, as they are citizens of Asean," he said.

In its election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan had pledged to ratify the Refugee Convention "so that refugees who escape from war-torn countries and arrive in Malaysia are given proper assistance."

Santiago, who chairs the Asean Inter-parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, pointed out that despite refugees fleeing to Malaysia to seek protection from persecution, many continue to harbour hopes of returning to their homeland.

"I have asked the Rohingya if they want to return to Rakhine State, and they said yes. I thought they must be crazy to do so after being abused, tortured and raped, but they say it is their home,” he said.

"What they need in Malaysia is protection. Asean documents can be used to protect them, we signed on to them as they have some value in it.

"But the Rakhine State may not be home to the Rohingya any more, as there are plans for a massive Rakhine Investment Centre coming up on the land, which will benefit Chinese, Indians and Bangladeshis."

Pressuring governments

Santiago called on the people of Asean to come together and put pressure on their governments to deal with refugees, saying that the 10 member states have always resorted to the 'non-interference' catchphrase as an excuse not to get involved with the affairs of their neighbours.

"However, when it comes to business, the catchphrase does not apply. 

"The point is they do not care for the most vulnerable communities, these people do not matter to them,” he stressed.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 68.5 million individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations – an increase of 2.9 million people from the previous year.

As of April 2018, an estimated 671,000 Rohingya children, women and men have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 2017, making it the “fastest growing crisis in the world,” according to the UNHCR.

A UN fact-finding mission last year revealed that a military campaign with “genocidal intent,” which included mass killings and rape, was launched against the refugees in Myanmar.

Myanmar has denied the allegations, saying its offensive was a legitimate response to “insurgent threat.” and that it was welcoming the refugees back.

'Malaysia can benefit'

In his keynote address at the festival on Friday, Santiago (below) said Malaysia could benefit from refugees, who have many talents and skills which they can contribute to their host countries.

The DAP lawmaker said that refugees were in Malaysia to seek protection, not to “shake their legs,” commit crimes or steal jobs from locals.

“Many are professionals. They are surgeons, engineers, artists, who can work in Malaysia. It is time for refugees to identify how they can contribute to the nation.

"Why not promote their food and music here? They can contribute much to further the country in the globalised world," he said in his speech.

“They are not here for crimes or to steal your jobs. Locals do not work in dirty, dangerous and difficult work anyway. The refugees are here for a safe passage until they find a home."

“We need a new narrative to define them, and for them to express themselves."

Santiago was joined at the panel by former Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights chairperson and lawyer Edmund Bon, as well as Zahid Alom and James Lochhead of the Penang Stop Human Trafficking coalition.

The event, which began on Friday, has featured music performances, poetry recitals, art performances, photography exhibits and refugees sharing their life experiences.

It will conclude today with a workshop on the Theatre of the Oppressed by Parastoo Theater Team director Saleh Sepas, a panel discussion on mental health access for refugees in Malaysia, and a film screening of Bou, the award-winning documentary by investigative filmmaker and journalist Mahi Ramakrishnan. - Mkini