Voice of the Zomi Refugees:: Zomi International Refugee Council

A refugee being beaten by the boss when requesting for his salary which is over due of payment.

DIPLOMATICALLY SPEAKING:By DENNIS IGNATIUS

The predicament of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia has been grabbing international media attention. There are growing calls for the Government to address the issue.
FOR the last several weeks, the international press has been highlighting the sad plight of the more than 80,000 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia.
An explosive report by the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was released recently alleges the involvement of some Malaysian officials in the trafficking of these refugees. The refugees have reportedly been abused and harshly treated by other government agencies, including Rela.
The Government has until now, consistently denied all allegations of mistreatment, abuse or trafficking. The former minister of home affairs rejected these allegations outright.
The allegations themselves are not new. Malaysian and other NGOs have been voicing similar concerns for years. Malaysian print and television media have also featured investigative reports on this issue. Just google 態urmese refugees ?Malaysia?and dozens of sites will pop-up.
In need of serious attention: Myanmar refugees participating in a demonstration outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur in this January file picture.-AP
The UN High Commission for Refugees has also expressed alarm at the treatment of refugees in Malaysia. Anyone who bothers to seek out these hapless refugees, in and around our larger cities, and talk to them, as I have, will be shocked by their stories of harassment, intimidation and abuse.
Of course, there may be some exaggeration involved. Nevertheless, their stories are credible, compelling and distressing, and must be taken seriously. Denial is not an option any longer.
It is to our great shame that we treat people who are fleeing from oppression in such a callous manner. It goes against the norms of decency and violates international conventions on the treatment of refugees. It even flies in the face of our own claim to be 揳 caring society.?/p>
Pretending that this problem does not exist in the hope that it would go away is not going to work. The issue has now gained international traction.
European and Canadian parliamentarians, together with members of the US Congress, have taken up the cry, as have many respected NGOs.
Even our own parliamentarians are demanding action. We can therefore expect more negative publicity and criticism from abroad. It is going to get very messy unless appropriate action is taken.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has done the right thing in calling for a thorough investigation. Our Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has promised the same. Officials and others who are found to be complicit in these abuses must be brought to book. We have no obligation to defend them or cover up for them.
However, these encouraging statements must now be followed up with a more comprehensive plan of action that should include the following:
First, a policy decision must be made to recognise that legitimate refugees are different from illegal and other economic migrants. The UNHCR already has in place a credible refugee registration system. Malaysian agencies should recognise UNHCR refugee documentation and extend appropriate protection to those who hold them. The harassment of refugees must end immediately.
Second, the Government should henceforth give priority to documented refugees when it comes to recruiting temporary foreign labour. It makes no sense to contract thousands of foreign workers from abroad, and particularly from Myanmar, when we already have a huge pool of unemployed refugees within our borders.
By providing refugees with legal employment, they will be able to live in dignity while awaiting resettlement in third countries.
Third, the Government should acknowledge the work of our NGOs in caring for the refugees despite many limitations, including hostility from some government agencies.
These NGOs are already on the ground and have a good track record. With even modest government assistance, support and encouragement, they can do much to help the refugees.
Fourth, the Government should take the initiative to host an Asean conference on refugees. Resettlement countries, as well as China, should be included.
The objective would be to construct a proper regional framework to prevent the abuse and trafficking of refugees and speed up their resettlement to third countries.
Myanmar抯 military rulers must also be persuaded to end their campaign of terror against their own minorities.
There is, of course, the fear that extending humanitarian support to refugees would open the floodgates, so to speak.
The real problem we face, however, is not from genuine refugees but from out of control illegal immigration that is exacerbated by corruption and short-sighted labour recruitment policies. The unfortunate people fleeing from tyranny in Myanmar should not have to suffer because of this.
Najib has a unique opportunity to mend the damage done to our international image and to restore our own self-respect. Bold measures are needed, and needed quickly.
Malaysians, too, can help by reaching out to these refugees with the care and compassion that has always been our hallmark, instead of reacting with fear and suspicion.
In the final analysis, the measure of a country is not the high ideals it claims to possess but the compassion and care it shows to the weak and vulnerable in its midst. Malaysia must rise to this challenge.
Datuk Dennis Ignatius is a 36-year veteran of the Malaysian foreign service. He has served in the United Kingdom, China, the United States, Chile and Argentina. He retired as High Commissioner for Malaysia to Canada in July 2008.

http://thestar.com.my

Moses Hau (UN Name), Tg. Hau Khat Khai a (7 Months) boy was born in Klang Hospital on June 30, 2008. The pregnancy life of the mother was spent in the detention camp in Malaysia and he was not expected to survive for this long according to the Doctor, said his mother. However, it has been such a miracle to see him healthier and helthier every day. However, he will need to do medical checkup very soon which will cost at least RM. 2000. The amount of RM. 1000/ has been collected by the contribution of well wishing friends but we are yet to receive another half for the check-up of my son, said Thang Kap Lam Sing, the baby father. The continual survival of this baby is dependend upon the contribution of individuals as the family could not support even themselves well.

"We would like to thank the Zomi volunteer leaders for helping us and putting the issue to the UNHCR. They are now supporting us with the sum of RM. 400/month for our baby and our gratitude goes to the Zomi leaders for sharing our burden" he added.

Mother: Man Sian Cing, 22 and the Father: Thang Kap Lam Sing 23 taking nutrition from for free of charge.


God has brought us step by step for a better health of our baby...

(c) ZHRN: Taken on January 20, 2009.

"It is indeed a miracle of God to see this baby healthy as of this date. God must have a purpose in the life of this baby," said a Zomi volunteer leader.

CNG (Myanmar-made gas tank) explored near Yangon City recently.

Broken arm of a Zomi refugee. Zo Taang fall down from the lorry he was driving and his Right arm was broken, Malaysia.

Terrible accident in the past year.

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!