Don’t meddle in our affairs, Hamzah tells UNHCR, rights groups

 

Hamzah Zainudin said the government will act the same way against any foreigner who breaks the law in Malaysia, not just those from Myanmar.

KOTA BHARU: Home minister Hamzah Zainudin has told the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office here as well as human rights groups not to interfere with the government’s move to deport Myanmar nationals back to their own country.

He said the fact that the foreigners were detained and sent back to their countries of origin meant they had violated Malaysian laws.

“Not just Myanmar or any (other) particular country, but anyone from anywhere in the world who comes here and breaks our laws, we will send them back.

“So, whether it’s the UNHCR, United Nations, or anyone at all, let me remind that even if the people we detained had entered the country legally but then violate our laws, we will send them back. There’s no need for outsiders to interfere,” he said at a media conference at Dataran Lembah Sireh here.

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Hamzah said this when asked to comment on calls by the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) for the government to stop repatriating political asylum seekers as it would put their lives in danger.

He said he understood that there were foreigners who came to the country as refugees and some were also seeking political asylum.

“We also understand and are aware that, in terms of humanity, we will not send back people who may ‘disappear’ in their country of origin. We will not do things that can cause cruelty to individuals who are sent back,” he said.

On the proposal to close the UNHCR office here, Hamzah said the matter was still being reviewed.

“We are reviewing it and will make a decision on whether or not the UNHCR should be here. As a dignified country, I must take care of our country first before taking care of outsiders,” he said. - FMT