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Myanmar Muslims Seeking Asylum Stay in U.N. Agency
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Myanmar Muslims seeking refugee status hold banners at the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday, June 18
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KUALA LUMPUR
, June 19 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A group of 18 Muslim
illegal immigrants from
Myanmar
on Wednesday, June 19, refused to leave the grounds of a UN refugee
agency in
Malaysia
which they occupied to demand asylum.
The
members of
Myanmar
’s minority Rohingya Muslim community invaded the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) center here in two batches on Monday
and Tuesday, June 18, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.
The
15 men, two children and a woman have remained camped in the compound
of the center and say they will not leave until they are granted
asylum either in Malaysia or in a third country.
Agency
officials have been arranging for interviews with the immigrants and
carrying out cross-checks with other agencies to “establish their
claims”, said Shinji Kubo, UNHCR protection officer.
“It
is a long process, and time consuming. While we sympathize with them,
we have our limitations and we cannot just ignore the interest of
other groups (seeking refugee status),” he told AFP.
Kubo
said police were carrying out regular patrols around the agency, but
would not intervene with the matters of the United Nations, adding
that the immigrants had been well-behaved throughout their time at the
center.
“They
said they are tired of living in fear, of being arrested and
deported,” said Kubo, adding he was unsure how long the immigrants
would remain at the compound.
Carrying
banners reading, “Please help us on humanitarian considerations”,
the asylum seekers entered the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) center here and camped in the compound.
“We
will not leave this place [without an answer], even if we die
first,” Abdul Aziz, 30, told AFP through the center’s fence.
“We
are already tired of life.”
Shinji
Kubo, UNHCR protection officer told AFP that the refugees - three men
and a family of five were being given shelter and food by the U.N.
body.
“We
will continue to interview them Tuesday to find out if they qualify
for refugee status,” he said, adding that the process was slow due
to language difficulties.
Kubo
said the group, who had been previously denied refugee status, fear
they could be considered illegals and prosecuted by Malaysian
authorities.
Malaysian
authorities have warned that strict penalties, including whipping,
would be imposed on the migrants after the amnesty ends, the U.N.
foundation website reported.
“It
is a sensitive issue. We are handling it carefully because it may
encourage others with similar problems to occupy our compound,” he
said.
If
UNHCR accords them refugee status,
Malaysia
cannot deport them or take any other action against them, he said.
“We
will review their case. I will talk to them again. We will exhaust all
avenues,” Kubo said.
Police,
who were called and kept guard outside the building, said they would
wait for the response of UNHCR officials before taking any action.
“At
this moment, we are not doing anything. We will wait, if they want to
hand the refugees over or not,” an officer said
The
Muslim immigrants, who have been given food, shelter and medication,
said previous asylum appeals had always been rejected, adding that
there was no other place for them to turn to as they were being
persecuted in their own country.
In
January, more than two dozen Rohingya migrants stormed the center to
seek asylum, but were handed over to immigration officials who said
they would be deported.
Around
2,500 Rohingya Muslims fled
Myanmar
for
Malaysia
in 1991-92 escaping persecution by the army, but most were later
repatriated with the help of the United Nations.
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