KL detains Myanmar refugee protesters

KL detains Myanmar refugee protesters

MALAYSIA: Malaysian police detained about two dozen Myanmar
refugees on Monday for protesting outside the office of the UN
refugee agency to demand speedy resettlement, witnesses and
officials said.

Women and children were among the protesters, from the
Rohingya ethnic group, who held up posters reading, "We need
immediate protection", and "We want speedy resettlement", before
police bundled them away, witnesses said.

Rights groups and the UN refugee agency fear a drive by
Malaysia to deport illegal migrants, which began this month, puts
refugees and asylum-seekers at risk of being returned to
countries where they may suffer detention or torture.

"They have been arrested because of what was considered an
unlawful demonstration," Volker Turk, country representative of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said.

"Of course we protested on their behalf, but immigration
authorities have taken them away to verify their status and have
said they will release those who are found to be refugees."
--Reuters