Through the eyes of others
New photo exhibition highlights ill-treatment of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia
Gabey Goh
Monday, October 12th, 2009 05:41:00
Monday, October 12th, 2009 05:41:00
ISOLATED: A Rohingya man who lives under a bridge with a group of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Pic by Rahman Roslan
THE true measure of how far we’ve progressed as a society lies not in how we treat our own, but in how we’ve dealt with those who come from other shores — especially the ones seeking refuge from the horrors of their homeland.
On Thursday, a provocative new photography exhibition will open at The Annexe Gallery and sheds light on the deplorable living conditions of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
Entitled NO REFUGE: Burmese Refugees In Malaysia, the exhibition features the works of five award-winning photojournalists, including Halim Berbar (France), Simon Wheatley (UK), Greg Constantine (USA), Zhuang Wubin (Singapore) and Rahman Roslan (Malaysia).
It presents compelling documentation about the plight of Myanmar refugees on Malaysian soil and its viewing will no doubt cast an uncomfortable shadow over the glowing self-image of hospitality and warmth that Malaysia so proudly proclaims to exemplify.
As noted by gallery’s arts programme director, Pang Khee Teik: “When one complains about human rights abuses in Malaysia, many Malaysians like to claim that at least we are better off than Myanmar. That is, however, not true for Myanmar refugees in Malaysia. They may have escaped the horrors of living under the military rule of the junta in Myanmar, but here in Malaysia they live a life of fear all over again.”
As Malaysia is not a signatory of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Myanmar refugees are not accorded any rights in this country. Because of this, they are subject to abuse, both by the authorities and fellow Malaysians.
Forced to hide in crammed apartments or makeshift encampments in forests, the exhibition details how refugees live in constant fear of being detained by the Malaysian police, immigration officers and RELA volunteers.
When caught, they are often abused, extorted for money, or sent to overcrowded and unhygienic detention centres. Sometimes they are even sold to human traffickers as slave labour or sex workers.
The opening of NO REFUGE will be officiated by Klang MP, Charles Santiago on Thursday, 8pm, at The Annexe Gallery in Central Market Annexe. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
The opening will also mark the launch of a petition campaign to get the Malaysian Government to recognise refugees and to sign the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Part of the proceeds of the sale of the photographs will be channelled to Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s (SUARAM) campaign to advocate the rights of refugees.
The exhibition will be open to the public until Oct 25.
On Thursday, a provocative new photography exhibition will open at The Annexe Gallery and sheds light on the deplorable living conditions of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
Entitled NO REFUGE: Burmese Refugees In Malaysia, the exhibition features the works of five award-winning photojournalists, including Halim Berbar (France), Simon Wheatley (UK), Greg Constantine (USA), Zhuang Wubin (Singapore) and Rahman Roslan (Malaysia).
It presents compelling documentation about the plight of Myanmar refugees on Malaysian soil and its viewing will no doubt cast an uncomfortable shadow over the glowing self-image of hospitality and warmth that Malaysia so proudly proclaims to exemplify.
As noted by gallery’s arts programme director, Pang Khee Teik: “When one complains about human rights abuses in Malaysia, many Malaysians like to claim that at least we are better off than Myanmar. That is, however, not true for Myanmar refugees in Malaysia. They may have escaped the horrors of living under the military rule of the junta in Myanmar, but here in Malaysia they live a life of fear all over again.”
As Malaysia is not a signatory of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Myanmar refugees are not accorded any rights in this country. Because of this, they are subject to abuse, both by the authorities and fellow Malaysians.
Forced to hide in crammed apartments or makeshift encampments in forests, the exhibition details how refugees live in constant fear of being detained by the Malaysian police, immigration officers and RELA volunteers.
When caught, they are often abused, extorted for money, or sent to overcrowded and unhygienic detention centres. Sometimes they are even sold to human traffickers as slave labour or sex workers.
The opening of NO REFUGE will be officiated by Klang MP, Charles Santiago on Thursday, 8pm, at The Annexe Gallery in Central Market Annexe. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
The opening will also mark the launch of a petition campaign to get the Malaysian Government to recognise refugees and to sign the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Part of the proceeds of the sale of the photographs will be channelled to Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s (SUARAM) campaign to advocate the rights of refugees.
The exhibition will be open to the public until Oct 25.
For more information, call 03-2070 1137 or visit www.annexegallery.com.
The hard facts
There are currently more than 60,000 Myanmar refugees registered with UNHCR with thousands more unregistered.
There are currently more than 60,000 Myanmar refugees registered with UNHCR with thousands more unregistered.
• Between 2002 to 2008, more than 4,800 Myanmar were whipped for immigration offences.
• In 2008, 812 Myanmar children were detained in immigration detention centres.
• May 2009, two Myanmar asylum seekers died at the Juru detention centre due to Leptospirosis, a disease linked to contamination of food or water. In August/September 2009, another six Myanmarese died due to suspected Leptospirosis.
• Malaysia, many refugees live in poverty. They have difficulties finding jobs due to their illegal status. Even when they can find jobs, they are usually underpaid and vulnerable to abuse from unscrupulous employers.
• Refugee children do not have access to public schools. As such, generations of uneducated refugees are being raised here in Malaysia.
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