World Refugee Day

Suhakam wants govt to help refugees

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Source: The Sundaily

Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail says the commission will strive to improve Malaysia’s human rights situation. Image from FMT News.

KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with World Refugee Day, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is standing firm with 68 million refugees worldwide.

While criticising the United Nations (UN) and the UN Security Council over its failure to end the conflicts and wars in many countries, resulting in the extraordinary influx of refugees into other nations, the commission was, however, hopeful the new Malaysian Government would do more for them.

Its chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail (pix) said many of the refugees were from Yemen, Syria, Palestine and Myanmar who made their way to many countries, including Malaysia

Suhakam also welcomed the new Malaysian Government’s commitment and promise to ensure refugees were given the ‘right to work’ in the country, he said. Read more →

World Refugee Day

Will you stand #WithRefugees?

Pledge your support

Each day war forces thousands of families to flee their homes.
People like you, people like me.To escape the violence, they leave everything behind – everything except their hopes and dreams for a safer future. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency believes that all refugees deserve to live in safety.Add your name to the #WithRefugees petition to send a clear message to governments that they must act with solidarity and shared responsibility.We stand together #WithRefugees.
Please stand with us.

The #WithRefugees petition will be delivered to UN headquarters in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly high-level summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants, on September 19. The petition asks governments to:

  • Ensure every refugee child gets an education.
  • Ensure every refugee family has somewhere safe to live.
  • Ensure every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.

Sign the petition at http://www.unhcr.org/refugeeday/

Solaf survived the war in Syria.

Solaf survived the war in Syria. She loves sports and dreams of living in America.

Mojtaba escaped from Taliban violence.

Mojtaba escaped from Taliban violence. He dreams of finding a cure for cancer.

Tinalbarka fled violence in Mali.

Tinalbarka fled violence in Mali. She dreams of becoming a lawyer.

 

Baw Meh fled violence in Myanmar.

Baw Meh fled violence in Myanmar. She dreams of a better future for her grandchildren.

 

Carmen fled violence in Colombia.

Carmen fled violence in Colombia. She hopes to inspire other women through her work.

 

Diego and his family fled the conflict in Colombia.

Diego and his family fled the conflict in Colombia. He dreams of getting his degree in mechanical engineering.

Atoma fled violence in Sudan.

Atoma fled violence in Sudan. She dreams of opening a large Sudanese restaurant with her daughter Noura.

Amal fled violence in Somalia.

Amal fled violence in Somalia. She hopes to inspire other refugees to succeed in their new countries.

Irene was seven months pregnant when she fled the Ivorian civil war.

Irene was seven months pregnant when she fled the Ivorian civil war. She dreams of empowering women at her training centre.

Majid fled war in Iraq.

Majid fled war in Iraq. He dreams of a  good education for his children.

Mercedes and her son fled extreme violence in El Salvador.

Mercedes and her son fled extreme violence in El Salvador. She dreams of reuniting with her daughter and grandchildren .

Jamal and his family fled their home in Falluja, Iraq. 

Jamal and his family fled their home in Falluja, Iraq.  He dreams of expanding his little shop to better support his family.

Wafaa fled the war in Syria with her three children.

Wafaa fled the war in Syria with her three children. She dreams of making her family whole again.

Justina fled after she was threatened by Boko Haram.

Justina fled after she was threatened by Boko Haram. She dreams of reuniting with her family.

Lim fled the violence in South Sudan alone.  

Lim fled the violence in South Sudan alone.   He dreams of becoming a doctor.

The Mahmut’s fled the war in Syria.

The Mahmut’s fled the war in Syria. He dreams of finding a job so he can support his family.

Repan fled the violence in Blue Nile State twice.

Repan fled the violence in Blue Nile State twice. He is always dreaming about his next invention.

Zau Pan fled conflict in Myanmar.

Zau Pan fled conflict in Myanmar. He dreams of becoming a famous musician.

World Refugee Day: We Stand #WithRefugees 2016 — Suhakam

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

SUHAKAMJUNE 19 — The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (the Commission) aligns itself with others in expressing serious concerns over the exacerbating global refugee crisis. In the wake of escalating violence, turmoil and armed conflict plaguing many parts of the world, millions of people, many of whom are women and children, are adversely affected and become refugees. They are forced to flee their homes and cross international borders and deep seas, risking their lives in pursuit of safety and survival.

Thousands of them die in the process.

In commemorating World Refugee Day, which falls on 20 June, the Commission pays tribute to the courage and determination demonstrated by refugees and asylum seekers all over the globe. The trials and tribulations endured by them to escape persecution and life-threatening circumstances in their home countries are unspeakable, and their strength and perseverance in overcoming such difficult situations deserve recognition.

However, recognition alone will do very little to improve the plight of refugees. Concrete actions must be taken not only to mitigate the predicaments faced by them but also to safeguard their human rights and to address the root causes that lead to their unfavourable situation in the first place. Read more →

Ahead of World Refugee Day, UN agency launches ‘Stand #WithRefugees’ initiative

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Source: UN News Centre

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talks to a Somali refugee family during his visit in Ifo Camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Photo: UNHCR/Siegfried Modola

16 June 2016 – Ahead of the World Refugee Day on 20 June, more than 60 film, TV and music stars have joined refugees, faith leaders and the United Nations refugee agency staff to back a petition highlighting the plight of forcibly displaced people.

The #WithRefugees petition aims to gather public support for the growing number of families forced to flee conflict and persecution worldwide, who currently face heightened anti-refugee rhetoric coupled with greater restrictions to asylum, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

“We are in a period of deepening conflict and turmoil in the world, which is causing many more people to flee their homes than before,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “It affects and involves us all, and what it needs is understanding, compassion and political will to come together and find real answers for the refugee plight. This has become a defining challenge of our times,” he said.

In 2015, millions of people were newly displaced, adding again to the global refugee and internal displacement totals. Overwhelmingly, it was countries of the developing world that were most affected, but Europe too witnessed dramatic scenes, as hundreds of thousands of people crossed the Mediterranean in search of safety and refuge. Thousands died along the way, according to the agency chief. Read more →

Recognise the rights and dignity of asylum seekers and refugees, and eliminate human trafficking — Steven Thiru

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

JUNE 20 — The Malaysian Bar acknowledges the indomitable spirit and courage of all refugees on World Refugee Day 2015.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) in Malaysia reported that as at July 2014 there were 47,352 asylum seekers (pending cases), 98,207 refugees, 40,000 stateless persons, and 80,000 individuals who do not fall into any of these other categories, residing in Malaysia. This brings the population of concern to a staggering total of 265,559.[1]

Unlike economic migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia are often victims of various forms of persecution, oppression and deprivation. They are subjected to harassment, extortion, physical abuse or assault and ill treatment. These persons live in an environment of fear, and insecurity. Read more →