PETALING JAYA: A group representing Chin organisations in Malaysia has urged countries hosting refugees from Myanmar to avoid deporting them as they would likely face persecution and even death.
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The Chin people are one of the founding members of the Union of Burma, but have faced oppression in their home country. They represent a significant portion of the refugee population in India, Bangladesh and Malaysia.
In a statement, the Independent Chin Communities (ICC) group called the recent military coup in Myanmar a “dark day” and urged countries not to deport Chin refugees.
“The Myanmar military coup has worsened the security and threatened the lives of refugees,” it said.
It also called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to consider re-evaluating appeals for asylum to prevent refugees from being forcefully sent back to Myanmar.
In addition, it urged foreign governments to impose targeted sanctions on the country rather than economic ones, which would only further burden the people.
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“We therefore ask foreign heads of states to impose sanctions on the sales of weapons to Myanmar, and travel restrictions on the generals, including their families who are studying abroad even after borders open, and the freezing of their bank accounts and businesses abroad,” it said.
ICC also called for solidarity from the global community and expressed hope that peace could be brought to Myanmar.
On Monday, democratically elected members of the ruling National League for Democracy party were deposed by Myanmar’s military, and state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested.
Along with the imposition of military rule, a state of emergency was declared for one year.
The ICC is made up the Alliance of Chin Refugees, Chin Refugee Committee, Dai Community Malaysia, Falam Refugee Organisation and the Zomi Association of Malaysia.-FMT