June 19, 2013
Following the reported violence in Kuala Lumpur between Myanmar
nationals, the Malaysian government has sternly warned them that they
could face deportation back to Myanmar in the wake of the violence.
Lawyers for Liberty urge the Malaysian government not to proceed with
the deportation especially those from the Rohingya community as they are
refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
The deportation of the Rohingya will be inhumane and cruel as they have
been systematically persecuted in their homeland and remain one of the
most vulnerable communities in the world.
They are stripped of their citizenship thus making them legally
stateless and subjected to all kinds of serious discriminatory practices
including on movement, marriage, birth, education, health care,
employment, civil documentation and subjected to arbitrary detention,
violence and forced labour.
Since June last year, there had been a serious series of coordinated
attacks against the Rohingya and other Muslim communities in Myanmar
causing untold number of deaths, injuries and destruction to their
homes.
We call on the Malaysian government to deal with the violence as a law
and order issue and in accordance to our obligations under international
law.
By deporting the Rohingyas, the Malaysian government is as good as
signing their death warrant or at the very least complicit with the
Myanmar authorities in continuing their persecution and suffering.
Eric Paulsen
Co Founder and Adviser
Lawyers for Liberty
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