THE government must work towards domestic policies that allow for basic human rights for refugees, said the All-party parliamentary group Malaysia (APPGM).

In a joint press statement, the group of lawmakers said with global displacement continuing to rise despite the Covid-19 pandemic, appropriate domestic policies on refugee management are urgently needed.

The group pointed out that the lack of legal documentation, and lack of access to livelihood, education and healthcare, as well as the continued risk of arrest and detention that refugees face, have resulted in refugees falling into poverty and marginalisation.

The group noted this, in turn, held back Malaysia’s progress towards achieving sustainable development goals and the Agenda 2030 objective of “leaving no one behind”.

“While refugees are in Malaysia temporarily, it is essential to work towards policies that allow for basic rights prior to their resettlement to a third country, or their safe, dignified and voluntary return to their countries when they become peaceful again,” they said in a statement.

The statement was endorsed by the three sub-groups that make up the APPGM: refugee policy, reform of prisons and all places of detention, and sustainable development goals.

The group said even though Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it recognises that the country has long opened its doors to people facing persecution on an ad hoc basis on humanitarian grounds.

“In conjunction with World Refugee Day, APPGM MPs are joining hands to call for bi-partisan co-operation to help the country develop appropriate and holistic policies on refugee management, and to call for an equitable and inclusive Covid-19 health response and recovery for the benefit of all.”

According to UNHCR, in 2020 82.4 million people were displaced as a result of conflict, persecution and human rights abuses, including 26.4 million refugees. 

There are more than 4 million refugees and asylum seekers in the Asia Pacific region, with 179,570 currently registered in Malaysia.

The group said the formulation of domestic refugee policies requires bipartisan commitment to objectively assess the situation and determine the best policy options on refugee management in Malaysia. 

“This process should take into account Malaysia’s unique development context, the humanitarian needs of refugees, our resources and capacities, as well as our role in regional responsibility-sharing,” the group said.

“It should engage diverse stakeholders including government agencies, parliamentarians, civil society groups, the private sector, as well as local and refugee community leaders,” the group added.

Last month, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin authorised the Immigration Department carry out raids for undocumented migrants during the lockdown, which began on June 1. 

Hamzah said the move is part of an effort to curb Covid-19 as well as vaccinate undocumented migrants and refugees, adding that the raids also involved the National Registration Department and police.

However, human rights activists say the move only worsens the Covid-19 situation and may lead to fresh clusters, citing last year’s outbreaks in immigration detention centres. 

The group said concrete steps towards developing refugee policy would also demonstrate Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to human rights, and support its candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2022-2024.

“The development of domestic refugee policy should also take into account the current challenge of controlling the spread of the Covid-19 virus and accelerating our public health, economic and social recovery from the pandemic,” the group said. – June 20, 2021.