Govt told to resolve disputes with UNHCR before issuing own refugee cards

 

The government and Home Ministry must initiate talks and resolve any dispute with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) before issuing its own refugee cards, said the leader of a parliamentary group on refugee issues.

All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Policy on Refugees chairperson Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Perikatan Nasional-Sik) said there were major implications to consider if the government proceeds with issuing its own refugee cards.

"(For example) if UNHCR is not made a partner (in recognising refugees) in Malaysia, how will this affect our relationship with the UN?" he told Malaysiakini.

On Friday, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said that Malaysia was planning to issue its own refugee cards for better control to decide who gets to stay in the country.

Currently, refugees in the country can get cards from the UNHCR.

However, Malaysian law does not recognise refugees, nor is the country a signatory to international treaties on refugees.

Work with UNHCR

The UNHCR has also not been allowed access to immigration detention centres since April 2019.

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin

Tarmizi said if the government wants to proceed with its plan, it should leverage the UNHCR's expertise, especially in registering refugees.

He added that any move to register refugees should be made soon as not doing so leads to further complications such as burdening the Immigration Department with having to detain them.

The spotlight was on refugees again after 528 Rohingya refugees broke out from the Sungai Bakap Immigration Detention Depot in Penang on April 20.

Most of the escapees had been held in detention since 2020.

The APPGM on Policy on Refugees has sent a request to the Home Ministry to gain access to inspect the Sungai Bakap Immigration Depot to check on its condition and determine if it followed the appropriate standards for a detention facility.

Hamzah had said that the Rohingya refugees were provided free food and shelter but had to be held because there is no third country to send them to. - Mkini