Tarani Palani | October 20, 2011
Free Malaysia Today
Put in an effective system in place first to protect Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers from persecution in their homeland, says the AIPMC chair.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) has voiced concern over the planned exchange of detainees between Malaysia and Myanmar.
Its Malaysian caucus chair, Lim Kit Siang, today said that the planned exchange raised concerns as there may be a possibility of persecution of those sent back to Myanmar.
“Those who flee Myanmar, namely ethnic and other persecuted minorities remain at risk of persecution of all forms should they continue to live under the military regime.
“We wish to reiterate that such a ‘swap deal’ serves political interests well ahead of these exceedingly serious human rights concerns,” said the Ipoh Timur MP.
Lim called for the planned swap to be halted before an effective system is put in place to protect the Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers from persecution in their homeland.
He also questioned if such a swap deal was in accordance with international law.
The swap plan was announced on Monday by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as part of a larger cooperation between the two countries to combat trans-border crimes.
A newly-formed working committee is set to meet next week to discuss in detail the exchange-plan.
‘M’sia abdicating from its responsibility’
Hishammuddin said currently there are about 1,000 Myanmar detainees held here and that the swap will help ease the congestion in Malaysian detention centres.
It was not revealed how many Malaysian detainees are currently held in Myanmar.
The swap deal comes hot on the heels of the failed refugee and asylum-seeker swap between Australia and Malaysia.
Australia was to send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia and accept 4,000 refugees from Malaysia. However last week, Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard scrapped the deal after months of strong opposition.
PKR vice president, Tian Chua who was also at the press conference questioned why the Malaysian government was “obsessed” with swapping refugees and asylum seekers.
“Is there some hidden motive behind it? (Malaysia) seems to be abdicating from its responsibility to others when dealing with refugees,” said the Batu MP.
Tian brushed aside Hishammuddin’s justification for the swap – that it will ease congestion in Malaysian detention centres
“We are sending them (Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers) to the dungeon in Myanmar. There are other ways to improve conditions here which have nothing to do with prison conditions,” he said.