VOCR
April 20, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
UNHCR office in Malaysia used to register pregnant women who were referred to the office by ACTS clinic and government hospitals. Those who have been pregnant for at least 5 months used to receive appointment date for registration interviews. It has been more than three years that UNHCR office no longer accepts new asylum-seekers from Burma at the office campus except those who were registered by UNHCR officers at different locations and detention centers in Malaysia, and vulnerable persons who have been approved by recognized clinics as vulnerable including pregnant women. Pregnant women used to approach government hospital and clinics in order to certify about their pregnancy. They brought a book issued by those medical centers and approach UNHCR office for registration as asylumseekers. Since early this year, all pregnant women had to approach ACTS clinic alone in order to get medical approval record and then approach UNHCR office for registration.
However, since last week Thursday, pregnant women were not registered as usual any more. About 20 women were known denied by the office of Thursday and a few numbers on the following days. This morning, at least 12 pregnant women have been known to be denied by the office. The office has not yet publicized its new procedure regarding registration of pregnant women till today. A refugee pregnant woman from Burma who approached the office this morning said, "The office told me that they no longer accept all pregnant women except those who have serious medical problems. I don't know what they mean by serious medical problems. I am so much worry now, how to deliver my baby in the hospital without any identification. I will need to risk delivering my baby at home." In average of 50 pregnant women have been approaching ACTS clinic on every Saturday. The reason of changing the policy regarding the way to register pregnant women has not been known. This changing of procedure also effect upon the pregnant women whose husband has been recognized as refugees.