Over 4,200 Lankans on UNHCR list in Malaysia

5 July 2014 04:22 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There are 4,280 Sri Lankan refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

They comprise about 3% of the 145,025 foreigners who have UNHCR cards as of May.

Most UNHCR cardholders in Malaysia are from Myanmar (134,430) while the rest are from Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. About 70% are men and 30% women.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that of the 14 LTTE members arrested this year, seven were using UNHCR cards.

UNHCR spokesman in Kuala Lumpur, Yante Ismail, said the organisation was unable to comment on suspected Tamil Tiger leaders with UNHCR cards, adding that it was the body’s policy not to publicly comment on individual cases involving asylum-seekers and refugees.

“In principle, refugee protection is for those who are in genuine need of international protection when they have been forced to flee their countries.

“Refugee protection is not extended to individuals who have committed very serious crimes,” she said yesterday.

Yante said any enquiry into refugee status would involve a careful assessment of all relevant facts, through a fair process, to decide whether protection was required.

According to UNHCR Malaysia, registered refugees and asylumseekers could move freely as they were not in camps.

The organisation said refugees were unable to work legally, but had access to the informal work sectorand opportunities for self-reliance.

Refugees normally share living spaces in groups of 40 people or more in low-cost flats or housing areas.
Many also live near the construction sites or plantations where they seek employment.

According to a social worker who declined to be named, the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees started arriving in droves here some 10 to 15 years ago, seeking to move to other countries.

However, he added that they were made up of different “groups” who would snitch on each other to the authorities.(The star Online)

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Comments - 7

Man of iron Saturday, 05 July 2014 05:07 AM

hmmm

Joana Saturday, 05 July 2014 10:59 AM

Even if all 4 had UN Refugee cards no wonder. via DM Android App

Shaul Saturday, 05 July 2014 06:05 AM

Any person holding a UNHCR card should be protected by the host country under the United Nations Refugee Act. However, Malaysia has consistently violated the treaty by cooperating with foreign countries to extradite UNHCR card holders to the same country from where they had to flee.

Malin Abeyatunge Saturday, 05 July 2014 07:30 AM

If the UNHCR is doing careful assessment as they say, how came 4 LTTE terrorists got UNHRC Refugee cards and continuing their modus operandi until the recent arrest without any hindrance?

rosebud Saturday, 05 July 2014 01:52 PM

So UNHCR is registering terrorists as refugees My my Whatever happened to your screening process via DM Android App

Chief Saturday, 05 July 2014 02:03 PM

Another 15 to 20 years after these Tamil refugees may struggle for a separate land in Malaysia.

Silpa Saturday, 05 July 2014 11:04 AM

Shaul,Where is your mouth ?.

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Over 4,200 Lankans on UNHCR list in Malaysia

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