CNI News
6 January 2024
Myanmar people, holding refugee cards, who are arrested in Malaysia, are finding it difficult.
Because the UNHCR is delaying to reply whether evidence documents are correct or not, the refugees have to be staying in the detention camps unless the UNHCR reply, those who are helping in the affairs of refugees told CNI News.
As the response from the UNHCR side is delayed for a certain period of time, as long as the UNHCR has not replied, UN refugee card holders who are arrested have to be staying in the detention camps, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees, told CNI News.
" It depends on how soon the UNHCR responds or how soon the Malaysian police and immigration department inform the UNHCR of the detainees. Some UN refugee card holders who were arrested had to stay in the detention camps for one to two weeks. UNHCR staff need to work outside the office. If they are waiting for the time when the police and immigration department or refugee organizations like us will inform, it may take long. We, refugee organizations, inform the UNHCR by phone or email if the UN refugee card holders are arrested. They usually don't reply. We have to solve 95 percent of the cases on our own after meeting the police and immigartion department." he said.
Police vans in which illegal foreigners are taken away
The UNHCR staff personally come inspect whether it is correct or not and if the detainees are real holders of the UN refugee cards, they will be released at once - the process like this would solve the problem quickly, pointed out Myanmar people in Malaysia.
At present, checks and arrests are being conducted in Malaysia almost everyday and many Myanmar citizens have been arrested, according to Myanmar people in Malaysia. Due to arrests and inspection in Malaysia in 2022-2023, detention camps and rooms were crowded with detainees. So, detention camps have been expanded reportedly.
Lots of policemen are currently arresting and so are immigration officers, Hmwar Michael living in Malaysia told CNI News.
Those detained in Malaysia
" If the policemen arrest the refugees, those arrested are taken to the police stations. And then, they are remanded in custody for two weeks. After that, evidence documents are inspected and they are handed over to the police. If the immigration officers arrest the refugees, those arrested are placed in the detention camps. And then, they are brought to court. They have to go to court from the detention camps. If they are found guilty, the court decides to send them to jail. If the police arrest, the problem might be solved at the police station. But it's not easy for you to solve the problem at the immigration department. If you don't have any evidence documents after the immigration officers arrested, you might have to stay at the detention camp for one to two months and you could be sentenced to at least three months. And then, you will be sent back to your native country. But if you can negotiate at the police station, it could be a bit convenient for you. Overstayers could have 30 percent of hope." he said.
Moreover, those detained were permit holders and depending on their employers, they could be released reportedly.
Because the deadline to apply for a Ricarlibraci permit has passed, more and more checks and arrests could increased, said Myanmar citizens in Malaysia.
