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Dear Friends,
Greetings to all!
Earlier, we released a statement concerning the plight of
undocumented migrants in Malaysia.
Now, we would like to seek you support by co-signing the
letter appeal for the protection of undocumented migrants
in Malaysia and stop the impending massive arrest, detention,
caning and deportation of undocumented migrants. The appeal
letter will be send to the office of Prime Minister Ahmad
Badawi on the 16th February for his immediate action.
We are expecting the crackdown to happen anytime. Thus, your
immediate response to this call is highly important.
Kindly send a reply to this email or at apmm@hknet.com
to signify your support and kindly indicate your name/name
of your organization and country where you are based.
You can also read the recent APMM Statement below for your
reference.
We appreciate to receive your response on or before 15 February.
We are also requesting your organization/networks to conduct
solidarity action against the impending crackdown of undocumented
migrants in Malaysia depending on your capacity and condition
in your respective areas/countries. We highly appreciate to
receive plans and updates of your actions for our coordination.
Thank you for your continued support and In solidarity,
Ramon Bultron
Managing Director
APMM
16 February 2005
YAB Dato Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Pejabat Perdana Menteri
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
Bangunan Perdana Putra
62502 Putra Jaya
Fax Number: (+603) 8888-3444
Re: AN URGENT APPEAL FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS
IN MALAYSIA AND
STOP THE IMPENDING MASSIVE CRACKDOWN
Dear Prime Minister Badawi,
The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants together with the undersigned
non-governmental organizations, institutions, people’s
formation and individuals from different parts of the world
would like to make an urgent appeal for the protection of
undocumented migrants and to stop your government’s
impending massive arrest, detention, caning and deportation
of them. Such actions would only breed more human rights violations
and abuses.
Likewise, we demand that your government observe the 1999
Bangkok Declaration on Undocumented/Irregular Migrants of
which your government is one of the signatories.
The aforementioned Bangkok Declaration states on number 14
that “Irregular migrants should be granted humanitarian
treatment, including appropriate health and other services,
while the cases of irregular migration are being handled,
according to law. Any unfair treatment towards them should
be avoided”.
The 2002 amended Immigration Act - which permitted public
whipping as part of the penalty for those who overstayed their
visas and can be applied to anyone including women and children
aged 10 years old and above - is in direct defiance of the
aforementioned declaration and a violation of international
humanitarian law and norms.
We are also alarmed by your government’s plan to mobilize
400,000 civilian volunteers to take part in the massive arrest,
detention, public whipping and deportation of undocumented
migrants and providing them reward money for every arrested
undocumented migrant. This plan will only worsen the situation
and can ignite more widespread human rights violations and
abuses. It is practically whipping up a lynch mob against
undocumented migrants.
We also would like to remind your office that since you started
to conduct a series of massive arrests, detention and deportation
of undocumented migrants since 1986, the estimated number
of undocumented migrants even increased and the reported human
rights violations and different forms of abuses especially
among women and children have actually increased and worsened.
We believe that unless the root causes of forced migration
are addressed, the number of migrants who are forced to become
undocumented will continue.
On the other hand, the tsunami disaster that resulted to
grievous devastation and loss of life among countries mostly
of migrant workers in Malaysia as well as the recent political
instability in Nepal are the conditions that will make the
life of migrants in Malaysia even more miserable.
It is in this regard, that we strongly appeal for a humanitarian
consideration for the undocumented migrants in Malaysia and
for the immediate halt of the planned persecution of the undocumented
migrants and provide them the condition to choose if they
wish to continue their stay in your country.
The implementation of a comprehensive humanitarian and economic
plan together with the ASEAN countries to address the root
causes of the growing numbers of undocumented migrants and
forced migration is a case in point that needs an urgent and
immediate action to alleviate the condition of undocumented
migrants.
Furthermore, we strongly demand the following:
- Abolish the 2002 Amended Immigration Act and implement
an Immigration Policy that adheres to international human
rights standards and instruments;
- Abolish the planned mobilization of civilian volunteers
in arresting undocumented migrants;
- Issue extension visas to migrants with pending labor and
court cases and allow them to continue their stay and work
with employers who wish to sponsor them;
- Implement a policy that will address the trafficking issues
of women and children;
- Establish a Special Commission on Migration for a total
review and map the road to a comprehensive policy for the
management of migration that upholds the rights of migrant
workers.
Signed by:
1. Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, Hong Kong
2. United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK)
3. MIGRANTE Party List - Hong Kong Chapter
4. Asosiasi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia di Hong Kong
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Statement Released by:
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
Crackdown
is not the Solution:
Stop the Impending Crackdown of Undocumented Migrants and
Their Families in Malaysia!
Respect, Uphold and Protect Their Rights, Dignity and Welfare
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