ABC AUSTRALIA, 31/03/2004 21:06:43
Rights group accuses Malaysia of forcibly returning Aceh
refugees
The Malaysian government has been accused of forcibly returning Indonesian refugees
from Aceh province to Indonesia where their safety is at risk amid a continuing conflict
there.
In a report, Human Rights Watch documents Malaysia's deportations of refugees and
asylum-seekers from Aceh and the mistreatment of Acehnese refugees while in
Malaysia.
The New York-based group accuses Malaysian authorities of violating their
international legal obligations by failing to distinguish between Acehnese refugees
fleeing conflict and other undocumented Indonesians in Malaysia.
Human Rights Watch claims the Acehnese are fleeing a brutal conflict, marked by
massive human rights violations.
The group says instead of deporting, detaining and abusing them, Malaysia should
recognize its legal obligations and offer them a safe place of refuge.
Indonesia declared launched an all-out offensive to crush separatist rebels in Aceh
last May.
31/03/2004 21:06:43 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
