Problems Faced by Acehnese Refugees in Malaysia

[Thirdshifter]

We will treat them [Acehnese] as we do other refugees. We will detain them and send them back.

?Khalil Yaacob, Malaysia?s Minister of Information, June 200326


After fighting resumed in Aceh, the Malaysian government quickly reiterated its position of refusing to recognize asylum seekers in Malaysia, including the new flows of Acehnese refugees to the country. Information Minister Khalil Yaacob added that Malaysia would deport all people from Aceh caught entering the country illegally, regardless of whether they claimed to be refugees fleeing fighting in the Indonesian province

It is sad to see our Malaysian goverment doing shit like this. Also its sad that there's nobody making a big fuss out if this.

[Thirdshifter]

Acehnese in Malaysia also reported rumors that some of those who had been deported had either ?disappeared? or been killed before making it back to their families. The rumor of fifty decapitated heads of deported Acehnese asylum seekers in Lhokseumawe hospital was recounted by several refugees in Malaysia. Human Rights Watch was unable to confirm any of these reports. However, the rumors do demonstrate the level of fear felt by Acehnese in Malaysia, and their concerns over what will happen to them if they are returned to Indonesia. One man who was deported to Indonesia, and then made his way back to Malaysia, told Human Rights Watch:

When we got to Medan we were processed at the port. They asked, ?What were you doing in Malaysia?? If you say construction they don?t believe you. But I said I came to make money, to help my village. The Acehnese were separated and taken away, I don?t know where. There is not yet any word of other people from the boat returning to their home villages. I said I was not Acehnese but Minangkabau [from West Sumatra], and they let me go

we need someone to write an article about this.
*sigh*

Also here's a link for more details http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/04/01/malays8379.htm

[USSDefiantNX74205]

I'm a bit shallow on what's happening over there in Aceh, but were those sent back killed by the Indonesian military or GAM fighters?

[PJKru]

I hope that if an acehnese arrived on your door asking for help you will help them. I know there are lots of issues about refugees.