Burmese asylum seekers targeted; media ignore their plight

This is an issue that has not received enough coverage in the mainstream media. This open letter to Abdullah regarding the plight of Burmese asylum seekers comes from the Bandung Legal Aid Institute, Jakarta and appears to be written in the true spirit of ASEAN solidarity:

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Prime Minister's Office
Federal Government Administration Center
Bangunan Perdana Putra
62502 Putrajaya
Malaysia

Dear Sir

RE: Burmese asylum seekers targeted in a series of arrests

I am writing to you in concern at the information I have received about the recent spate of targeted arrests of Burmese in Malaysia. On 14 April 2004, 30 Burmese were arrested while queuing up outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur, while those of other nationalities were left alone by the police. Of the 18 male and 4 female Chin asylum seekers who were arrested on 11 April, two (a 13-year-old girl and a 52-year-old man) are said to be refugees recognized by the UNHCR.

The Malaysian government is bound by the principle of non-refoulement, a part of customary international law that applies to all states, to protect the rights to life and protection of all those who seek asylum. Malaysia's immigration law however, makes no distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants. All those seeking asylum therefore, risk imprisonment of up to five years, six strokes of a cane, a fine of up to 10,000 ringgits (about USD 600) and deportation.

I urge the Government of Malaysia to sign and ratify the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its Optional Protocol and to implement its provisions in domestic legislation.

Yours truly,

LBH Bandung
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Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Bandung
Bandung Legal Aid Institute
(LBH Bandung)