STARTING from the Vietnamese boat people, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) has been assisting the refugees arriving in Malaysia since 1975.
It conducts activities related to the reception, registration, documentation and status determination of the refugees.
As Malaysia is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, there are currently no legislative or administrative provisions in place for dealing with asylum seekers or refugees in the country.
The refugees cannot get formal employment and the children are not able to attend government schools.
The first step to help refugees, according to UNHCR spokesman Yante Ismail, is to understand who a refugee is and why they have left their country.
“Unlike migrants, refugees do not choose to leave their countries. They are compelled to do so because of serious discrimination in their home countries, armed conflict, serious public disorder and other complex human rights issues,” she said.
In contrast to economic migrants, who leave their countries to seek material improvements in their lives, refugees cannot return home and do not enjoy the protection of their home countries.
Refugees need a temporary safe haven in the host country, at least until such time that they are able to return home, or find a new home in a third country.
“What refugees need the most is compassion and understanding from Malaysians about the circumstances of their plight,” Yante said.
The public can also volunteer with the UNHCR and the many refugee community groups in our country.
“They can teach English and Bahasa Malaysia to refugee children and adults, help with health-related education initiatives, conduct non-school activities for refugee children such as art and craft or singing,” Yante said. Those interested in being a volunteer can email infomalaysia@unhcr.org or call UNHCR’s Volunteer Coordinator at 03-2141 1322.
For details, visit http://www.unhcr.org.my/.
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