Human rights group Suaram has criticised Malaysia's decision to turn away a refugee ship, calling the move "inhumane".
"Malaysia’s act of turning those boats back to sea without good cause endangering the lives of the 200 passengers aboard is inhumane in the extreme.
"We agree that problems arising from military conflicts, nationality and the status of ethnic Rohingyas or any other ethnic minority in Asean are a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of other Asean nations.
"Regardless, Malaysia should have set a progressive example for other Asean nations in defending basic human rights in the region," Suaram executive director D Sevan said in a statement.
On April 16, the Royal Malaysian Navy prevented a boat carrying an estimated 200 Rohingya refugees from entering Malaysian waters near Langkawi.
A day before that, it was reported that at least two dozen people had died after a ship carrying 382 Rohingya refugees was repeatedly turned back by Malaysian authorities.
They were eventually rescued by the Bangladeshi coastguard, which said they had been adrift for two months.
Sevan noted concerns that the refugees may be infected with Covid-19 but said that can be addressed.
"With screening procedures and social distancing, they can still be saved without jeopardising Malaysia’s public health.
"For example, Cuba has allowed two ships carrying Covid-19 positive passengers to dock in their waters to receive medical assistance, reasoning that health is a human right," he said.
Sevan said refugees in Malaysia are not recognised by the government even though they have a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identification card.
"They do not enjoy rights to work, receive a formal education, nor ready access to public healthcare services.
"Despite these constraints, they still need to sustain themselves and their families, often leading to problems with the authorities. This further complicates their daily lives.
"Refugees are not recipients of benefits or favours from the government but are instead victims caught in a situation beyond their control," he said.
As such, he urged the government to be humane and show empathy to those trying to flee from cruelty and suffering. - Mkini
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