Tenaganita wants end to online hate campaign against Rohingyas

 

Rights group Tenaganita has expressed concerns about the rise in xenophobic actions towards the Rohingya community over the past two months.

Citing a social media campaign in Malacca, Tenaganita reminded Malaysians that Rohingyas fled from Myanmar to avoid persecution and violence in their homeland.

It then called for the Malaysian government and civil society groups to speak out against anti-Rohingya campaigns.

“They have been attacked recklessly on social media, tensions heightened on the platform by certain parties in the country.

“Instead of using social media to raise awareness and understanding the issues, while being proud to host them, sharing our spaces and resources with them, some have used the platform to unleash hatred against them,” said Tenaganita in a statement.

It said that in Malacca, there were even formal complaints lodged to the city mayor about the increased number of Rohingyas – urging the authorities to crack down on the community’s involvement in business activities and segregate them from the locals.

Need better policy on asylum seekers, refugees

It is to note that stalls in the Selayang market operated by the Rohingyas recently came under pressure to close down.

“They are the most persecuted ethnic group in the world according to the United Nations.

“Our government, currently sitting in the UN Human Rights Council, has an obligation to protect and provide basic rights to the vulnerable community although we have not signed the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951.

“It is also crucial for the government to develop a comprehensive policy on asylum seekers and refugees to ensure that we do not fail in our humanitarian responsibilities towards refugees,” said Tenaganita.

“With the rising xenophobic sentiments towards them and the constant fear within the community, Tenaganita urges all parties - especially the government, UNHCR, Suhakam and civil society organisations to come together to address the anti-Rohingya campaign.

“They have been facing continuous attacks, harassment and threats and we cannot let this sentiment grow further or let this situation go unaddressed,” the NGO stressed.

It also pointed out that the government has made it illegal for all asylum seekers and refugees to be employed - nor does the government provide them with any form of support in terms of livelihood.

“Consequently, most of them have no choice but to be gainfully employed albeit illegally and become vulnerable to exploitation by employers, agents and contractors.

“There’s been numerous reports of asylum seekers and refugees who suffer labour rights violations such as unpaid wages, and wage theft.

“Refugees have also been detained by immigration authorities simply because they have been employed. Most Rohingyas who are employed are involved in dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs that are shunned by Malaysians.

“However, when they are faced with rights violations, there is no access to justice or right to redress,” said Tenaganita. - Mkini