Human rights watchdog Fortify Rights has reported that Malaysian authorities are committing human rights violations against Myanmar migrants and refugees, including beatings and forced stripping of clothes. The organization found that Malaysian immigration authorities are arbitrarily arresting Myanmar migrant workers and refugees, subjecting them to beatings in immigration detention centers, forcing them to strip naked, torturing them, and denying them basic necessities. These findings came from interviews with 17 former detainees and eyewitnesses who were held in Malaysian immigration facilities, including Rohingya, Rakhine, Burmese, Mon, and Kachin refugees from Myanmar.
According to Fortify Rights, immigration-related arrests in Malaysia have increased more than threefold in the past two years. Many refugees have reported experiencing physical abuse, being forced to maintain stress positions, or being stripped of clothing for extended periods while in detention. The Malaysian Ministry of Interior’s data shows that 34,287 people were arrested between January and May 13, 2025. The authorities have reportedly disregarded all refugee status documentation, including UNHCR-issued cards, and in some cases have discarded or destroyed official UN documents. Additionally, detainees have extremely limited contact with family members, legal experts, and UNHCR, with prisoners only able to make phone calls to their families and friends after paying substantial amounts of money.
While Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the convention provides authoritative guidance on refugee protection under international law. The convention defines refugees as people who cannot or do not want to return to their country due to fear of persecution. Article 31 of the Refugee Convention specifically states that refugees should not be penalized, including through arrest or detention, for irregular entry or stay in a country of asylum. Fortify Rights’ human rights expert Yap Lay Sheng emphasized that the Malaysian government must stop indiscriminate raids and establish clear protection measures to prevent the torture, arbitrary arrest, detention, and forced return of those fleeing persecution. The organization has called for Malaysia to provide legal refugee status and full access to UNHCR for those facing life-threatening situations in their home countries.
