Voice of the Zomi Refugees:: Zomi International Refugee Council

Baby of a Zomi refugee from Myanmar

A Zomi refugee from Myanmar, Man Sian Cing, 22 was fled from Myanmar under harsh treatment and persecution by the Military Junta. Due to the so called “registration policy” by the UNHCR in Malaysia, she was not able to get registration though she has long been waiting for refugee recognition. One early morning at her work place, five immigration personals wearing no uniform came up and raided her while she was washing the dishes at the back side of the restaurant in Bukit Tingi Klang. She has been pregnant for 1 month.

The authorities send her to Kajang jail and later transferred to Saminyih detention camp. She could hardly survive in the detention camp from November 6, 2007 to March 28, 2008. She spent her pregnant-life in the detention camp for about 5 months.

During her stay in the detention camp the authorities-in-charge gave no enough sleep knowing that she is pregnant. She has to fall in line for 3 times a day while scolding and shouting at her. There was not even enough sun light or fresh air for this unhealthy woman. Speaking no English, Malay or any other language, she spent her day with tears in the detention camp for five months in the absence of her husband. She did not get any medication for her baby despite, she was suffering from various sickness, nausea, headaches and other painful experiences during her stay in the camp. She had to take water from the tap while it is at the same time used for washing clothes and sanitation purposes. Her breakfast is ‘teh O’ with rotten bread. Whenever, she feels unhealthy, she had to fall in line and wait for 3 days to get a single tablet of ‘penadol.’ The intention is to find out whether the person truly feels sick or not. The authorities would let the sick people wait for 3 days and on the third day or forth day, they will release one tablet of medicine to whoever is needed the most. Lunch is served at 2:00 P.M and dinner is at 6:00 . The food they served are salty dry fish, left over from the market. Beef is served once a week. Rotten and smelly Chicken is served once a week for the detainees. There is no nutrition contains in either food they served. The poor pregnant woman spent 5 months of her hard life alone in the detention camp with lots of nightmares and hardships.

The UNHCR graciously helped her out from the detention camp after 5 months on March 28, 2008 and finally gave her refugee registration. Her RSD interview appointment will be in September 2008.

As Man Sian Cing was about to give birth to her baby, she went to the hospital for medication check up. However, the timing was already late and the baby would not get enough vitamins for the bones, said the Doctors. They advised Mrs. Man to abort the baby. Back appearance of the baby

However, due to lack of money and moreover, she is a Christian, she refused the advice of the doctors. She took the risk of giving birth to the baby which eventually came out as the doctors’ advice.

The mother cries whenever she sees her baby’s appearance (with no skull)

The greater challenge for her life is how to raise and take care of this baby whose husband has no job while she is still unhealthy and could not even make payment for her medical bills at the hospital.

Updated News:

According to the news we've received two days ago, the UNHCR had paid the medical bills for this baby at the hospital on 10.07.2008. However, what is more needed for this baby as well as for the parents is for the survival of this baby with extra care and expenses for emdical treatment after the hospital. The doctor instructed the parents to teach hw to treat and care for this baby under the instuction of the doctors themselves on a day to day basis. It is very important to know the sensitivity of this baby and for the well being of its future by putting extra effort. The ZHRN would like to cogratulate the tireless efforts and contribution of the UNHCR, ACTS as well as the Zomi community and other individuals. It is a tue sirit of co-operation in helping the helpless and vulnerable Zomi refugees and beyond.

Together, we can make a difference for the life of this baby!