Refugees: UN convention fails to protect displaced people
ZAFAR AHMAD ABDUL GHANI, President Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organisation Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
letters@nst.com.my
Every year, we see wars and conflicts across the world. This is worrying as more people flee their countries and become refugees, asylum seekers, stateless and displaced persons. While many have found new homes after resettlement to third countries, many more are struggling for survival.
The condition of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Malaysia is a classic example of how the failure of UN agencies and world leaders has destroyed generations. There is no future for them.
In Southeast Asia, most refugees and asylum seekers come from Myanmar because of persecution and prosecution by the junta.
Asean leaders must deal with the junta to stop the flood of Myanmar refugees to neighbouring countries.
Being a refugee is hard, especially as some transit countries have not signed the Refugee Convention that provides protection for them. What this means is that in most situations, refugees are not recognised and protected.
While UN agencies protect refugees around the world, more effort must be made to stop wars and conflicts, which cause people to become refugees, asylum seekers, stateless and displaced persons.