Protect Asylum Seekers, Release Prisoners, and Allow Unrestricted Humanitarian Work

Protect Asylum Seekers, Release Prisoners, and Allow Unrestricted Humanitarian Work Tuesday, July 10 2007, 10:31 AM EDT Contributor: Admin Views: 77 The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) is deeply concerned about the welfare of Burmese women and children who have been subjected to numerous violations of human rights in Burma and as well in countries where they seek asylum. We are also concerned with the overall treatment towards prisoners and civilians in Burma. ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY MYANMAR CAUCUS 18-2 Commercial Centre, Taman Abadi Indah, Off Old Klang Road, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603-7984 7318, +603-7980 1393 Fax: +603-7983 7318, +603-7981 7782 http://www.aseanmp.org email: info@aseanmp.org Press Statement 9 July 2007 – For immediate release Protect asylum seekers, release prisoners, and allow unrestricted humanitarian work The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) is deeply concerned about the welfare of Burmese women and children who have been subjected to numerous violations of human rights in Burma and as well in countries where they seek asylum. We are also concerned with the overall treatment towards prisoners and civilians in Burma. Approximately 2 weeks ago, Burmese asylum-seekers in Malaysia were detained by Malaysian authorities despite being UNHCR-recognised refugees. This occurrence has recently increased in frequency. We find it exceptionally unacceptable that young children and expecting mothers, among the detained are treated without proper care by the authorities, given their vulnerability. We call on the Malaysian government, and governments in the ASEAN region, to re-evaluate and alter its current negative policy on the recognition of refugee status and to pave a way for refugees to be properly protected and treated humanely whilst waiting for resettlement. In relation, AIPMC also endorses the recent report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Burma. The report publicly denounces the actions of the military junta that persistently violate international humanitarian law, particularly in the treatment of detainees and civilians in Burma, by the regime. The report details grave abuses by the junta towards civilians and detainees. AIPMC finds this very troubling and urges ASEAN to check its rogue member State, Myanmar. AIPMC strongly encourages ICRC to continue with their work in exposing the regimes’ unethical practices and to reach out to the incarcerated in Burma. On the same note, we call on all ASEAN members to push for a Charter that would end all forms of abuse of detainees and civilians in Burma and the rest of the ASEAN region. In addition, AIPMC also strongly urge the Myanmar regime to release one of its longest serving political prisoners, journalist U Win Tin who has served 18 of his 20 years jail sentence. The reported condition of his imprisonment does no good to U Win Tin’s faltering health. His limited access to proper medical assistance and the junta’s insistence on hard labour are strapping reasons to call for his prompt release. The situation in Burma is quite obviously not improving. AIPMC once again urges ASEAN to be stricter in its engagement with Burma and also urges China to consider the impact of its partnership with Burma. Ends AIPMC is an organisation comprising current and former Members of Parliament from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. For media contact or to facilitate an interview with AIPMC members, please call: Roshan Jason (AIPMC Executive Director) at +6-012-3750974 or the numbers above.