Malaysia temporarily suspends UNHCR registration, raising security concerns for refugees

Photo – Foreigners seen at a detention centre in Malaysia. James, Chairman of the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR), said that the Malaysian government's directive to temporarily suspend all refugee registration processes by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised security concerns. (Free Malaysia Today) Pakhi (July 23) Mizzima.ll The Malaysian government's directive to temporarily suspend all refugee registration processes by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) could lead to an increase in undocumented refugees and potential safety risks, said James, Chairman of the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR). He told Mizzima regarding the Free Malaysia Today report on July 23 that the temporary suspension was to register and manage refugees more systematically under the Malaysian government's supervision. "There could be difficulties. If there are more undocumented people and they don't get a UN (refugee card), then security is a concern," James, the ACR chairman, told Mizzima. He also said that although the government calls it a temporary suspension, it could last for a long time, and arrests and actions against refugees could increase. The decision was made by the Malaysian Cabinet, and it was aimed at registering and managing refugees more systematically under the direct supervision of the government, said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in response to a question from Member of Parliament Hussein Ismail in the Senate. The question was raised to clarify how the government is addressing the issue of Rohingya refugees who do not have any recognized identification documents from Myanmar. "Through the DPP programme, the government can better manage, including verifying personal information, monitoring, and setting regulations, without relying on records from foreign organizations," the Deputy Minister said. He also stated that registration activities under the DPP programme would be carried out in cooperation with relevant law enforcement agencies, with registration granted only to eligible individuals, and aimed at preventing illegal immigration. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister said that approximately 5,000 Myanmar nationals currently detained in Malaysian immigration detention centres are planned to be repatriated by Malaysian naval vessels, and this plan depends on Myanmar's readiness to receive them. Malaysia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, so it does not legally recognize refugees and tends to treat them only as migrants. Additionally, it is known to be attempting to reduce UNHCR's authority and transfer refugee data under the government's management system. Currently, there are approximately 300,000 to 400,000 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia, most of whom are engaged in dangerous, dirty, and difficult construction, agriculture, factory, and cleaning jobs that locals are unwilling to do. Editor. Naung Naung The post Malaysia temporarily suspends UNHCR registration, raising security concerns for refugees appeared first on BUR.MIZZIMA.COM.