Myanmar Muslims seeking refugee status hold banners at the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday, June 18

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.

Pakistan & India.. Military Balance Jenin: World testimonies Israeli Operation Defensive Shield Palestine: Maps and Facts We Denounce 9-11, Owe Egypt An Apology: Islamic Jama’a Swiss Muslims File Suit Over “Racist” Fallaci Book Sharia Tussle Peaks, Mahathir Warns Islamic Party of “Hell” Afghanistan’s Qanooni Refuses New Post: Sources Warning Messages Intercepted by U.S. Authorities on September 10 Turkey Takes Command of International Force in Afghanistan India’s Next President: “N-capability Has Prevented War with Pakistan” Hurriyat Conference Calls for Parallel Talks with India, Pakistan Jordan Spells Out Mideast Conference Conditions, Mubarak & Assad Meet Israeli Army Tribunal Keeps AFP, Reuters Photographers in Jail England Prays to Defeat Brazil, Koreans Won’t Bear Gifts to Spain Israel Adopts New Hard-line Policy, Blows Up Residential Building Jordan, Egypt Reject "Provisional" Palestinian State Fresh Jerusalem Bombing Kills Seven, Wounds Forty  Al-Qaeda Kill 40 U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan Patriarch of Egyptian Catholics: Pope’s Views Only Represent the West Iraqi Opposition Crucial for Killing Saddam: Experts  Israeli Writer to Israel: Withdraw from Palestinian Land, Dismantle Settlements Arab Media Ministers Discuss Campaign to Expose Israeli Crimes Settlers Burn 1,000 Olive Trees, Army Abducts 1,200 in 24 Hours Jewish Groups Pressure Turner to Withdraw Israel Criticism More Israeli Army Incursions into West Bank Towns  American Muslim Council Officials Respond to Smear Campaign Myanmar Muslims Seeking Asylum Stay in U.N. Agency Syria Helped Save U.S. Lives: Burns Bush Puts Off Mideast Speech, Palestinians Attack Israeli Fence Bush's Homeland Department Outline Delivered to Congress Iran Hails EU Decision to Open Trade Talks, U.S. Wants Assurances World Cup: Senegal Cut the Magic, Let Their Feet Do the Talking South Koreans in Glory Path, Co-Host Japan World Cup Glory Ends Africans Roar With Pride As Senegal Lions Head Into Quarter-Finals World Cup Bonus for South Korean Stars, Urged to Reach Last Eight Asia Has Another World Cup Going On in Thailand  Poles Intent on Giving Koreans Parting Gift Before Leaving World Cup Afghans Follow World Cup Through Dishes Yesterday's News Search Articles      News Archive : Day: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31     Month: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12   Year: 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999