Translation in Malay is provided at the end of the statement.
On the morning of 8 February 2024, UNHCR-registered Bangladeshi refugee MA Quayum was granted a temporary pass pending court procedures, leading to his release from immigration detention. Quayum was detained by the police for six days from 12 to 17 January 2024, and subsequently by the Immigration Department from 18 January 2024 till his temporary release.
This action commendably demonstrates the Home Ministry’s efforts to recognise Quayum’s status as a UNHCR-registered refugee, and at a broader level, adherence to the commitment made to comply with the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s order of stay of Quayum’s deportation. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) also deeply appreciates the tireless efforts undertaken by Quayum’s lawyers to ensure his safety within Malaysia, without which today’s highly encouraging outcome would not have been possible.
SUARAM is hopeful that the Government will continue to uphold its commitment to respect the rule of law and protect the integrity of our judicial system, by actively refraining from harassment, intimidation and any arbitrary arrests or detention of Quayum. In particular, we hope the Government will continue to respect and operationalise the principle of non-refoulement as we have seen recently, and not deport him back to his home country where his life will be in grave danger.
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SUARAM: QUAYUM BEBAS DARIPADA TAHANAN IMIGRESEN MEMBUKTIKAN USAHA POSITIF KERAJAAN MENGIKTIRAF STATUS UNHCR
Pada pagi 8 Februari 2024, pelarian berdaftar UNCHR dari Bangladesh bernama MA Quayum telah diberikan pas sementara, memandangkan prosedur di mahkamah bagi kesnya masih berjalan. Kini, beliau telah dibebaskan daripada tahanan imigresen. Quayum telah ditahan oleh pihak polis selama enam hari dari 12 hingga 17 Januari 2024 dan seterusnya oleh pihak Jabatan Imigresen dari 18 Januari hinggalah tempoh beliau dibebaskan hari ini.
Tindakan membanggakan ini membuktikan usaha Kementerian Dalam Negeri mengiktiraf status Quayum sebagai pelarian berdaftar di bawah UNHCR dan berpegang teguh kepada komitmen untuk mematuhi perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur bagi penangguhan pengusiran beliau. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) juga amat menghargai usaha gigih peguam Quayum bagi memastikan keselamatannya di Malaysia. Tanpa beliau, usaha yang sangat memberangsangkan hari ini tidak mungkin akan tercapai.
SUARAM berharap kerajaan akan terus mengekalkan komitmennya untuk menghormati kedaulatan undang-undang dan melindungi integriti sistem kehakiman negara ini, dengan secara aktif menahan diri daripada gangguan, ugutan dan sebarang penangkapan atau penahanan sewenang-wenangnya terhadap Quayum. Kami berharap Kerajaan akan terusmenghormati dan melaksanakan prinsip tiada penghantaran pulang paksa (non-refoulement) seperti yang dilihat baru-baru ini dan tidak menghantar Quayum pulang ke negara asalnya dimana nyawa beliau berada dalam ancaman.