ACR would like to heartedly acknowledge brother Antony for visiting to ACR School and donating
dictionaries from English to Burmese-Chin and Bahasha Melayu for 150 students at the school. ACR wishes all the best for you and your family.

VOCR
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
March 22, 2009

A combination of poems written by Salai Za Thawng Lian, a refugee from Burma who belongs to Chin ethnic minority has been published in Malaysia. The book is entitled as “Embrace me” and poems are decorated with incredible drawings of Ab Latif Maulan a Malaysian artist.


The poet Salai Za Thawng Lian

Mr. Rainer Rotthoff, the producer of the booklet, from Pelangi Community Foundation stated, “Most asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia are living on one bowl of rice and dried fish daily. Many of the refugees are HIV positive and are in dire need of proper nutrients. The profit from the sale of these booklets goes to help HIV positive and disabled asylum seekers so they can have proper nutritional food. I hope you will show your compassion by purchasing and promoting this booklet.”


Premiere screening of Running

It has been known that copies of poem booklet have been distributing around Malaysia including the special occasion of the Premiere Screening of Running, a documentary on the plight of refugees in Malaysia which is organized by Suaram on Saturday, 21 March 2009 at the Annexe Gallery, Central Market, KL.

“I think distributing of poem booklet is going positive because Mr. Rainer has a lot of contact with local Malaysia NGOs and Churches as well. Rainer got a strong support from Anglican Church to sell poem booklet on coming Sunday” Salai Za Thawng Lian, the poet was born 19th January 1983 in Chin State, Burma. He did post-graduate study in Lay at Dagon University, Yangon until he fled his country. He is active in social community based projects. While in Burma he was the Secretary of Dagon University Christian Fellowship and the general Secretary of Chin
Literature and Culture Committee for the whole country. Due to his political awareness activities among Chin students and his involvement in the September 2007 demonstration, he had to flee Burma to seek asylum in Malaysia. He writes poems in English to express his feelings and thoughts. He has compassion and concern for his country men especially the most unfortunate. The poems contains words and phrase with rhymes in bearing deep meanings of implacable ideologies.


Poem booklet

Mr. Benedict Rogers, East Asia Team Leader, Christian Solidarity Worldwide states, “When you read these poems, please do not just put the book down and think: “What inspiring, challenging poetry”. That is not enough. Please tell others. Too many people around the world today are still unaware of the plight of the people of Burma. Too many people are still ignorant about the extent of the crisis- the crimes against humanity, the torture, the brutal suppression of freedom. You can play a part in helping to change that, to educate people and to help the people of Burma. As Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu KYi, still under house arrest, has said: “Please use your liberty to promote ours.”

Seihnam
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
March 3, 2009

Nine Chin refugees from Burma including 2 children were arrested on March 3, 2009 at their plastic shelter in plantation area in Cameron Highland, Malaysia. They were arrested in operation held by Rela.



Residents in Cameron highland said that there was operation in a place called 49 block at around 10 pm at night on March 3. Two children arrested in the operation were girls.

The detained Chin asylum-seekers are being kept at Langkap detention camp. It has also been reported that the two young girls are sick in the detention camp. Cameron Highland is located at about 5 hours bus drive from Kuala Lumpur and it is estimated that at least 300 Chin asylum-seekers are staying there.

VOCR
March 20, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

There was a night raid operation on March 20, 2009 at Jln Pudu where Alliance of Chin Refugees office and Zophei center was located and thousands of Chin refugees and asylum-seekers stay.. The eye witnesses said that 4 Lorries full of people were arrested and taken to detention camps.

It was known that those who have document issued by UNHCR were not arrested in this operation. However, in other places some UNHCR card holders were still arrested. Unconfirmed information source said that people arrested in such raid were immediately deported to Thai border without taking them into detention camps first. At the same time, detention camps have paused their usual deportation program since two months a go.

VOCR
March 15, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Last Friday evening, the Malaysian authorities and immigration held operation by blocking the local buses, and arrested hundreds of illegal residents in Malaysia.

Mr. Rung said, “My friends and I came back from our work around 7:30PM. When we arrived Klang our bus was stopped by immigration police. All passengers were checked. Those who have valid passport and some UNHCR card holders were released. But those who did not have any legal documents were immediately arrested and were taken by four lorry trucks. I think they all were taken to a detention camp.”

A couple of refugee young men from Burma were not arrested in the operation. However, they waited until the immigration police left the place. They spent the whole night on a cement floor as they could not get any bus or taxi at mid night.The authorities blocked the local buses and railways in order to hunt migrant workers and residents. Such operation does not lance asylum-seekers and refugee either. Refugees and asylum-seekers are living in fear of arrest and being detained. Within December 2008 and January 2009 eleven asylum-seekers who belong to Chin ethnic people from Burma were canned for two strokes each after 7 month detention in a detention camp and prison in Perak state.

VOCR
March 14, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia police special branch had held a meeting with refugee community leaders in Malaysia on March 09, 2009 at Kachin Refugee Committee office in Kuala Lumpur.

A community leader who attended the meeting said, “The meeting between community leaders and police special branch has come to the second time with in this year. Before that the community leaders were in fear of police special branch. But such meetings bring mutual understanding and cooperation between refugee communities and Malaysia police in terms of preventing crimes.”

The meeting elected Mr. Robert Tei Thang to be assistant coordinator. He is currently coordinator of ACR.

The responsible persons from police special branch had introduced and explained within its limitation about the work plans to the community leaders.

Almost all Burmese refugee community leaders in Malaysia attended the meeting with great keenness for the safety of their vulnerable refugees.

by Salai Ram Nun Cung
March 14, 2009,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

VOCR visited one NGO clinic in Brickfield Kuala Lumpur and had had interviewed with some of
refugee pregnant women. The VOCR heard that the refugee pregnant women are facing problem to find a place for their medical treatment during and after pregnancy. In order to understand more information about pregnant refugee women, VOCR had had an interview with a pregnant woman, an asylum-seeker from Burma.

VOCR: Could you tell us your name and where you are from?
Dawt: My name is Ms. Dawt and I am an asylumseeker from Chin State, Burma.

VOCR: How long have you been in Malaysia? Are you alone or with your family? How many Chin people are staying with you in your apartment?
Dawt: I have been staying here in Malaysia for more than a year with my husband. I came to Malaysia because my life was not safe in Burma since my husband left me. We do not stay at condominium because the cost is very high. My husband is working at a veterinary and a doctor provides one room for my husband and me, but we are not staying alone because some of our friends from Burma cannot afford a room. So we share them our small. Now, more than 15 persons are staying in one room.

VOCR: Have you been to any clinic before? How long have you been pregnant?
Dawt: I have been pregnant for about five months but never been to any clinic except MCH, as I don’t know how to go around. Besides my husband could only afford our daily bread. I went to MCH clinic last week but they denied my registration. I don't know why they denied my registration. I heard the pregnant women can go and have a treatment at MCH clinic before.

VOCR: Did you have any problems when you go to ACTS clinic?
Dawt: Yes, I did have. The problem was that I cannot either speak Burmese or other foreign
languages besides Lai. (Lai is her mother language; a Chin language of Burma). I blamed myself for not be able to speak Burmese.

VOCR: Wasn’t there any Lai interpreter?
DC: No, there was no Lai interpreter. There was an interpreter who spoke only in Burmese but I could not speak Burmese, that’s why I returned home without having registered for medical treatment.

VOCR: So if you have option to choose whether to go to MCH or ACTS, what will you choose and why?
Dawt: I will surely choose MCH clinic because it is nearer for me and I can go any time during office days but ACTS is only available on Saturday and I know if all refugee women have to approach there once a week, there will be along queue. But I don’t have any choice.

VOCR: Thanks a lot for giving us your time to have this interview.
Dawt: Thank you very much.

VOCR
March 10, 2009, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

When a person was registered by UNHCR office normally he was given another appointment date for RSD (Refugee Status Determination interview) after six months. It was obvious that early this year many asylum-seekers were reappointed for their RSD interview after they waited six month.

A Chin refugee old man who came to UNHCR office from a distance place in Malaysia – Sitiawang, Perak State said, "I was registered in last year August. My appointment date for RSD is today. I came to UNHCR office at 8:00am in the morning and waited
till over 3:00 pm. Without interviewing me and telling me any reasons I was only told that my RSD interview is postponed to another six months."

It is believed that UNHCR in Malaysia is lack of man power that causes unnecessary delay of processing for refugees.

VOCR
March 09, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

It was known that since March 3, 2009 Chin refugees Kolam Air, Jalan Ipoh area, Kuala Lumpur have been facing tragedies of flood. Estimated numbers of 300 refugees most are Chins from Burma have been staying in the area. It has been reported that some of the refugee families out of the victims have lost their belonging such as food and clothes and some had moved temporarily to another area in Kuala Lumpur.

Photo of flooded area taken at 6:10pm on March 03, 2009

A victim who is from Hriphi village, Thantlang Township, Chin State and witnessed the incident
said, “The rain poured down heavily since around 4:00pm in the evening and did not stop for an hour. After the rain stopped irrigation besides our residence that is about 80sqre feet wide was flooded unexpectedly.”

The victims reported that some of their belonging such as their bed, TV, friedge etc…were swept by the water. A few victims were reported injuring cuts with pieces of broken glasses. Jalan Ipoh is located about 10 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. Among the victims, estimated number of 20 families are Chin ethnic people from Burma including 80 women and some young babies and children.



Photo: high level of flood

Chinland Guardian news reported, “Members of a Christian Church called SIBKL were said to have provided the Chin victims with food and allowed about 15 people to sleep in the church building. The Chin leaders and pastors in Malaysia visited and encouraged the flood victims with prayers and services.”

It was also known that most of the victims are still waiting for their time to get registered as asylumseekers by UNHCR office in Malaysia even though some of them were already approved by UNHCR office as refugees.

UNHCR office in Malaysia had some specific strategies and policies of registering refugees in Malaysia. Only vulnerable asylum-seekers and pregnant women verified by authorized clinics and government hospital, other applicants referred by UNHCR offices from another countries and a very few persons such as community leaders and so on have been registered at UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur. UNHCR had registered thousands of asylum-seekers within last year by using registration system called “Mobile Registration” but stopped it since first week of December 2008 till today.

Many asylum-seekers in Malaysia including the victims of the flood have been waiting patiently for their time to get registered.

VOCR
March 08, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

VOCR interviewed a volunteer interpreter in Malaysia UNHCR office on March 08, 2009. There are 54 volunteer interpreters in Malaysia UNHCR office including some locals for Tamil and Chinese languages and some for Somali and Arbic languages.

Most of them are from Burma. VOCR would like to apologize for using nick name "Mr. Bridge" of the volunteer interpreter for his security.

VOCR: Do you get any payment? How do you find living?
Mr. Bridge: Even though I am a volunteer, I got paid 50RM per office day. However, my family and can not fully depend upon this income. I usually inevitably spend RM10-15 per day from every office day. My family and I stay in an apartment that cost RM500 per month. Estimate for the rest!!!
All of the interpreters facing the same financial problems like me.

VOCR: So why are you still working if you do not have enough payment?
Mr. Bridge: That is what I have been told, too. We interpreters have been told that there are two doors; one to come into the office and the other to go out of the office. Many applied to be
volunteer interpreters in UNHCR office so the office can kick me out any time. But it is not the best solution. Even though I am paid not enough, I do not volunteer for payment, I actually volunteer to work for refugees and UNHCR office. Even if I were not paid I might still be working.

VOCR: Are all interpreters paid or treated equally?
Mr. Bridge: No, most of interpreters who are refugees from Burma are inferior to other interpreters and thus paid mush less financially and in terms of respect. May be because we are
refugees, we are human being but lower than others. However, I am still happy to work as volunteer interpreter.

VOCR: Do you have any special offer because you work in this office?
Mr. Bridge: No, I am just like other refugees in terms of opportunity. I do not receive any special offer. I do not expect it either. I even feel that because I work here, my resettlement
process is more delay. And because I am volunteer here I am not permitted to be EC member of refugee community. So, I may say I get special offer just to work as interpreter under the
protocols of the office.

VOCR: What are roles of interpreter in UNHCR office?
Mr. Bridge: Just to interpret interviews or translate documents. Interpreters are just like the bridges that link not only the two different languages but also two different cultural backgrounds. Sometimes I am afraid that the refugees might feel assaulted by the way the questions are asked.

VOCR: Have you ever encountered with such ‘assult’?
Mr. Bridge: May be I have and may be not. Whether I would be citizen of Malaysia, US or Europe etc… in terms of human rights, I wish we would respect one another. Whether a desperate refugee, a well known politician or UNHCR staff or interpreter we are supposed to have mutual understanding and respect to one another.

VOCR
March 07, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Estimated numbers of 180 Asylum-seekers from Burma who have been detained in Semenyih
immigration detention camp in Kejang, Selangor State, Malaysia were, interviewed by UNHCR registration unit.

It was known that UNHCR staffs with their interpreters went to Semenyih detention camp from Monday March 2, 2009 to March 5, 2009 for four days and interviewed about 40-50 detainees per day.

It also was reported to Chin Refugee Center that Pi Hoih Cer, 8 months pregnant women and her children also was also interviewed. (Her arrest was reported in March 1st week issued of VOCR).

A woman detainee in Semenyih said, "I heard that UNHCR officers have been coming to this camp since Monday (March 2, 2009) and interviewed many detainees but a few of us including me were not called even though I expected so much."

It was also known that deporting refugees to Thailand border have been paused since two months ago.

There is a Burmese inspiring folk story that says about a woman living in fear. The story is like this - Long time ago, there was a poor woman in a village near to a forest. One day the woman went to collect fire woods, unexpectedly she heard sound of roaring. She was so scared of that she hid around the bushes and gradually approached a gentle man. As soon as she met, with the gentle man, she felt very much comforted but not very long after that moment, the poor pretty woman discovered that the gentle man was worse than the tiger.

A refugee’s life is desperate one. A refugee would find for the safety of his life in any possible means and approach any direction that is first available for him/her. Refugee life is sometime just like the poor woman in the story. Inevitable choices are laid in front of refugees. The situation forced refugees to approach sometimes the wrong place where the wrong persons who look down them and abuses their rights.

Refugee usually faces additional inevitable human rights abuses in their transit countries before resettlement to third countries where they would reestablish a new life.

Sometimes it is also common that the one that helps or is working for refugees also unknowingly committed human rights violations upon the refugees. However, the refugee would not spoke up about it fearing for their further solutions.

So, where should a refugee go? A refugee approaches human trafficker and a refugee approaches insecure places of occupation but just for survival. Sometimes, a refugee inevitably walks through bridges where mocking, assaults and discrimination are still around.

The path of a refugee will only be destined at a place where he/she will gain all his rights as a human.

Salai Eagle
VOCR, March 2, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

8 months pregnant, asylum-seeker woman from Burma and her two children were arrested in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, by Rela operation on 30th of January 2009. They have been detained in Semeyith detention camps in Malaysia.

Pi Hoi Cer, 8 months pregnant belongs to Chin ethnicity from Burma. Her 13 years old daughter Par Iang Hnem and two years old son called Van Bawi Lian were also arrested together with pi Hoi Cer at their resident in Ampang, KL.

As the woman’s relatives had reported about her details to Chin Refugee Center in KL, it is known that the center has requested UNHCR office in KL for further intervention for the women and children in the detention center.

Furthermore, it has been known that UNHCR had already intervened for the asylum-seeker family in the detention and granted the opportunity to have registration.

Ms. Sei Tin Lal who is supposed to depart to USA for resettlement of 5th of March was also arrested on 20th of February 2009. She has been detained in Lengang detention camps. She was arrested at Jalan Imbi.

Nowadays refugees in Malaysia especially who are in Kuala Lumpur have been living in fear for night raids that has been constantly heard in different places of Kuala Lumpur.

Peter, a Chin refugee from Burma said, "Last Saturday night, I was informed that there will be raid at our building that night, so I left my room and stayed at my friends for one night, but the raid did not happened actually."

Salai Ram Nun Cung
VOCR, March 2, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Pu Hme Ceu, a Chin refugee from Van Zang village, Thanthlang Township in Chin State was visited by VOCR at Chowkit in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Pu Hme Ceu has been feeling kidney disease and lung T.B for more than 3 months.

He has been hospitalized at Kuala Lumpur Hospital since February 23, 2009 and he has
treatment with his UNHCR document (RN1236868). He is about 36 years old and is very
thin because of his sickness.

He has three children and they stay at Klang, about 70 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. He arrived to Malaysia in 2006 and he was registered by UNHCR in 2007.

The wife and children arrived to Malaysia in 2008 but they still do not registered with UNHCR. His wife is very discomfort for her beloved husband because when blood donation is required, his wife has to sign for an agreement with a doctor but she does not have rights to sign, as she is undocumented.

His wife said, "I feel very sad because we are facing financial problem so seriously as well as worrying for the arrest and detention while my husband is till in critical condition."

The doctor said, "He is in critical condition so we can assure only 50% for his recovery."

Since June 2008, UNHCR has stopped registration of family member and dependents of refugees to include in the principle applicants. It is believed that shortage of man power is the main cause of the delay. While waiting for registration, refugee families with young kids and women had been facing daily challenges and living in fear, as they are undocumented.

The refugee families have been told by UNHCR office to give their names to their respective community offices in order to register their family members and dependents.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was on Thursday urged to
verify the actual status of people seeking asylum in Malaysia before issuing them refugee cards.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said this was to prevent indiscriminate issuing of refugee status that caused the country to be flooded with foreigners.

"Actually, those eligible to receive the card are political refugees. But the UNHCR likes to issue it to whoever asks for its help, including economic refugees.

"My ministry hopes the UNHCR will evaluate the people seeking refugee status before issuing the cards. We do not want crime and social problems to proliferate here because of the actions of the UNHCR," he told reporters after holding a meeting on the hiring of foreign workers for employers here.

Syed Hamid said this in commenting on the issue of illegal immigrants flooding the country and the crime and social problems that arise as a result.

He also said the UNHCR often faulted the Home Ministry when the authorities took action against UNHCR refugees who committed crimes or broke the country's laws.

"I hope the UNHCR as professional body will act according to the UN Charter.”

Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
28 February, 2009

At least three Bible colleges and two orphanages have been ordered to shut down by the local SPDC authorities in Mingalardone Township, Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, Chinland Guardian has learned.

In a letter issued on 24 February 2009 to orphanages and colleges, Chairman of the local SPDC asked the institutions to stop running if they do not possess the official permission and registration. Sources confirmed that one of the colleges has been ordered to close down even though it has got an official registration since 1970s.

The local SPDC authorities accused that the colleges do not have permission from the government and that the place and building are not meant for religious activities. A Chin pastor and activist, Rev. Shwekey Hoipang said: "As we all have already known, most of the churches, mission organisations, orphanages and para-churches have been closed and sealed recently by the military regime. It is an ongoing crackdown on Christian growth in Burma and is a careful strategy and plan of the regime."

Sources claimed that the SPDC authorities carry out their repressive crackdown from one township to another, targeting Christians and their activities in Rangoon and that it is likely that this will soon go beyond the former capital city throughout the whole country.

The unnamed founder of one orphanage is said to be downhearted and very much concerned about his orphan children after the local authorities issued an order to send them back to places where they came from.

Since December 2008, more than 100 churches in Rangoon's South Dagon and Pabedan townships have been shut down, about 50 pastors forced to sign the documents promising to stop holding church services, and 80 per cent of churches in Rangoon affected, according to a report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Some local Christians believe that the immediate cause of the oppressive measures is church involvement in relief provision for victims of Cyclone Nargis.

In 2004, Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO) published a report 'Religious Persecution: a Campaign of Ethnocide against Chin Christians in Burma' which revealed the military regime’s systematic persecutions against Chin Christians as part of a program to Burmanzie the Chin people and various acts of ethnocide against Chin Christians by trying to destroy the Chin religious and cultural identity.