Refugees from Burma: Malaysia
Population and Environment
Participants in Malaysia are mostly ethnic Chin from Burma, living in an extremely-urbanized and hostile environment and trying to avoid the notice of the Malaysian government and populace. Midnight raids by government-sanctioned vigilante groups on refugee squatter communities are common, and on the day after a raid (or even the rumor of a raid) students arrive in class tired, haggard, and distracted from stress and lack of sleep. Sometimes, trainers learn that a student who is absent has been arrested. In this case, the trainer informs the CO administrative assistant, who forwards the message to OPE and UNHCR, who then take the necessary actions to get the person released.
Activities: CO Classes
With the waiver for material support for Chin refugees in Malaysia now in effect, refugee movements and CO sessions (provided for adults, pre-teens, and teens) have picked up considerably over past months, and it is anticipated that the number of refugees accepted for resettlement next year will further increase. There is a possibility that session length will increase from three to five days, but this needs further consideration, since refugees in Malaysia receive little or no UNHCR assistance and have to work to support themselves. Attendance at a CO class means they miss three days’ pay; something few can afford. We have heard of instances where refugees have actually lost their jobs due to the fact that they were attending a CO class rather than being at work.
Contacting refugees for classes is sometimes difficult. If need be, assistance is sought from the grassroots Chin organizations who list the people scheduled for sessions in their community newspaper and otherwise get the word out into the community.
Trainers report that, as a result of their lives in Burma and the harassment they receive in Malaysia, the Chin refugees are likely to have an abiding fear and distrust of the police and a deep reluctance to call on the police even when needed; to accept bribery as a way to get out of difficulties, especially with authorities; and to resign themselves to be cheated by employers, not complaining when they are cheated as they have no recourse to justice.
