Sunday, May 9, 2010

Free Afghan refugee, says Suaram

KUALA LUMPUR - Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has made an urgent appeal to the government to stop the deportation of a 22-year-old Afghan refugee recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The refugee, whose name was not revealed to protect his identity, is currently detained at an Immigration Department lock-up in Putrajaya.

The refugee was arrested with another Pakistani on March 25, allegedly for human smuggling, said Suaram on Friday.

"Even though Malaysian laws do not recognise the status of refugees, the Malaysian Government is obliged to respect the international customary law of non-refoulement which prohibits the return of people to places where they may face persecution or threats to their life or freedoms," said Suaram

"Protection from refoulement is the basic right of asylum seekers and refugee."

Suaram urged the Government to release the refugee upon verification by UNHCR if there are no charges pressed against him.

"If the Malaysian Government intends to be elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Government must commit to upholding and protecting human rights, including the rights of refugees," Suaram added. — Malaysian Mirror

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