Suhakam calls for counselling support for migrant children

Suhakam has urged counselling support to be given to the migrant children from the raided “school” at a migrant settlement in Nilai Spring, Negeri Sembilan.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that school-aged children were being prepared at the settlement to integrate into the Indonesian national school system whenever they permanently returned home.

In a statement today, Suhakam chairperson Rahmat Mohamad said stressed that it is Malaysia’s obligation in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to protect the children’s best interests.

“In this respect, Suhakam calls for immediate counselling support to be provided to these children by the authorities concerned. It is also hoped that the authorities will respond to the short-term needs of the affected children.

“The vulnerability and sensitivity of children should always be prioritised in any immigration policy decisions. The early hours of the morning raid may have a profound effect on the children’s mental state,” Rahmat (above) said.

Suhakam also recommended the government execute the alternative to detention (ATD) programme.

This programme temporarily houses migrant children in safe places conducive to the health and wellbeing of the children who are waiting for their immigration status to be determined.

Yesterday’s raid saw the arrests and detention of 67 undocumented migrants including a 72-year-old and a two-month-old baby.

The migrants had temporary travel documents, which were issued by the Indonesian mission here in lieu of passports and were valid for a year, according to sources who spoke to Malaysiakini.

However, their departures were delayed due to job losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, so they lacked the money to pay for their return tickets.

According to Negeri Sembilan Immigration director Kennith Tan, all those apprehended are being held at the Lenggeng Immigration Depot for an investigation under immigration regulations for entering and remaining in the country without legal authorisation.

Tan in a statement said those arrested comprised 11 men, 20 women, 20 boys, and 16 girls, all from Indonesia.

The detainees will be met by the Indonesian embassy on Feb 7 and their return to Indonesia would be facilitated, according to the Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono.

Hermono added that protecting children’s rights is given the first priority in accordance with international agreements to which both Malaysia and Indonesia are signatories, especially in situations involving arrest and detention.- Mkini