news

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC): UNHCR (Malaysia) must avoid
discrimination
BDC
05 May 2010

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) today calls for UNHCR (Malaysia) to
respect human rights and to avoid discrimination dealing with Burmese
refugees from Burma.

Burma is make up with Burmese (Bamar), Kachin, Kayar, Karean, Chin,
Mon, Arakan and Shan. Burmese refugees fled from Burma due to military
regime's extreme repression. People of Burma voted for Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi as their leader and they don't agree with junta illegitimate
rule in Burma. Military regime sees no difference in oppressing people
of Burma and always uses ultimate force to crush all the opposition
regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.

There are more than 70, 000 Burmese refugees in Malaysia according to
the official figures. Since Malaysia is not party to the 1951 Refugee
Convention or its Protocol, refugees are vulnerable to detention and
deportation.

While we applaud the UNHCR tireless efforts helping refugees but we
also have reports that UNHCR office in Malaysia is not fair in dealing
with Burmese refugees issues. Addition, some of the officers at the
UNHCR (Malaysia) office is creating climate of discrimination with
regard to dealing with Burmese refugees.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very concerned on the reports that
some UNHCR (Malaysia) officers have misunderstood that the ruling
Burmese military junta does not suppress ethnic Burmese people in
Burma because they are the majority ethnic group and Buddhist.

Based on unreasonable assumption which is totally wrong, most of the
Burmese applying for refugees at the UNHCR (Malaysia) offices are
mostly turned down.

"I am surprised to learn some UNHCR (Malaysia) officers' misconception
towards refugees from Burma. These vulnerable refugees had suffered
enough at the hand of brutal military regime and they don't deserve
the injustice again especially applying for the refugee at the one of
the world's most respected humanitarian organisation, UNHCR. Mr
António Guterres should addresses this matter in the matter of urgency
unless it would tarnish UNHCR's long track record of good reputation",
said Myo Thein, the Director at the Burma Democratic Concern (BDC).

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees Mr António Guterres to investigate fully and take timely
action to avoid further discrimination.

For more information please contact Myo Thein at 00-44-78 7788 2386 or
00-44-20 8493 9137.

http://www.bdcburma.org/NewsDetails.asp?id=624