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(New York) Malaysia should not deport dozens of asylum seekers detained by the police in a recent crackdown, Human Rights Watch urged today. Most of the detainees have fled the war-torn Aceh province in neighboring Indonesia.

Malaysian police have arrested some two hundred and fifty asylum seekers outside the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur over the last two weeks. Most of those arrested are now detained at Langkap immigration detention center.

The UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur recently designated Tuesdays as registration day for Indonesian asylum seekers. Over the last two Tuesdays, Malaysian police reportedly set up roadblocks outside of the UNHCR office and arrested all those seeking to make appointments with the refugee agency. The UNHCR office has now closed its operations because of the continued police presence outside its office.

Although police arrested some Burmese and Bangladeshi asylum seekers, most of those arrested and detained are Acehnese, including at least one already recognized as a refugee by UNHCR. At least twelve have already been deported to Indonesia.

"Aceh is not a safe environment for refugees to return to," said Brad Adams, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division. "Malaysia's actions are unacceptable when both the Indonesian military and the rebel Free Aceh Movement are still committing abuses against the local population."

Conditions in Aceh have been particularly bad after the Indonesian government launched an offensive in May 2003. Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights has already documented serious human rights violations in Aceh, including summary executions, arbitrary detentions, torture of unarmed civilians, sexual violence, forced displacement and the targeted burning of school buildings.

The international legal principle of non-refoulement bars states from returning refugees to a country where they are likely to face persecution. This international standard applies to both recognized refugees and those seeking asylum before their claims have been processed.

"It is outrageous to target asylum seekers who are seeking the help of the U.N. refugee agency," Adams said. "The Malaysian government should allow the asylum seekers in Langkap immigration detention center free access to the UNHCR so that their claims can be heard. Under no circumstances should they be deported without a hearing."

Malaysia has a long history of serving as temporary host for refugees fleeing persecution and conflict. However, many asylum seekers end up in one of Malaysia's detention centers, such as Langkap. Detainees in these camps regularly face violence, overcrowding, poor hygiene, and insufficient food.

Malaysia also offers them very little legal protection. Refugees recognized by UNHCR are not protected under Malaysian law. Other refugees are forced to live in conditions of extreme insecurity because they are afraid to present themselves to UNHCR, or doubtful about the benefits of seeking its assistance. The recent arrests only exacerbate these problems. Refugees without government-issued documentation and even those with UNHCR issued documents regularly face detention and summary return, possibly resulting in refoulement.

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