On the uneventful demise of the deported undocumented children: Malaysian and Philippine governments are liable

We in the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants strongly condemn the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines for their gross neglect on the untimely death of two undocumented Filipino children deported from Malaysia to Zamboanga, Philippines.

The two children, Timah Basir and Nurhani Nurmi, died after being deported with their parents from Sabah on September 29. Basir, 13, died of severe malnutrition and hypoglycemia hours after the ferry has left Sabah. Nurmi, 3 yeas old, died the following day after arriving in the Philippines. She suffered from chronic gastroenteritis, severe malnutrition and severe pneumonia.

Despite growing global protest mounted against the unjust and inhumane detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants, the Malaysian government continues with this cruelty while the Philippine government on one hand has not lifted a finger or uttered a word of condemnation on this incident, among many other unfortunate cases.

Sabah Immigration Department head Baharon Talib has admitted that no medical check-up has been made on the deportees, an admission that even the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, or Suhakam, has condemned.

Instead of denouncing the Malaysian government for its neglect, the Philippine government opted not to press charges or call for investigation.

Regional director of the Philippines' Department of Social Welfare and Development Geraldine Valbuena declared no complaints will be made as the parents of the both children have "accepted their children's fate" and had no adverse reaction.

Such statements are worth the people's ire for this clearly presents their criminal neglect on the plight of the many Filipinos who have been unjustly and inhumanely treated and deported by the Malaysian authorities.

How many children have to die before the Philippine government takes action? How many children have to suffer, women to be raped and people to be dehumanized before the Malaysian government ceases from this crime?

We call on a swift, independent and impartial investigation related to the deaths of the two children. Administrative punishment should be taken on those who will be found guilty.

Furthermore, and more importantly, the Philippine government should have the political will to condemn and call the Malaysian government for the immediate halt of its unjust and inhuman detention and deportation of the undocumented immigrants.

The Malaysian government should recognize the presence of the undocumented and legalize the latter's stay in Malaysia.

...read other STATEMENTS