The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (led by former Democrat presidential candidate John Kerry) has recently released a report, titled 'Trafficking and Extortion of Burmese Migrants in Malaysia and Southern Thailand'.
The report was the result of investigations prompted by allegations of the trafficking of thousands of Burmese refugees who were held in detention centres around Malaysia. The refugees were deported to the Thai-Malaysian border, where they were extorted for up to RM2,000 each in return for safe journey back to Malaysia.
This week, we speak with a Burmese human rights and workers' rights activist - he shares with us why and how the Burmese come to Malaysia, and reveals details of the trafficking process.
Michael (not his real name) is a Burmese workers' rights activist.
Ed note: Zan Azlee did a special report for Al Jazeera on refugee children and their rights to education in Malaysia. Video embedded below.
Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita was recently interviewed for a radio documentary on Burmese Refugees living in Malaysia. Below is the unedited, 30mins raw footage. It's worth listening to if you want a better understanding of the issue. Irene explains the difference between refugees and illegal immigrants, the risks refugees face in Malaysia, reports of the treatment they are subjected to under the hands of the Malaysian authorities, reports of trafficking and abuse, and why it is in everyone's interest that the international community finds a long-term solution to the political problems in Myanmar. Click here for mp3.
Running, a documentary on this same topic produced by Suaram is available now. More info here or watch the trailer here.
The Fairly Current Show
#46 Michael - Burmese Refugees
Host Fahmi Fadzil
Creative Producer Mark Teh
Camera & Lighting
Akashdeep Singh,
Aaron Chung, Fikri Fadzil
Editing
Akashdeep Singh
Motion Graphics
Zalee (Kino-i)
Web Adam William
Sound Hardesh Singh
'Unwelcome Words'
presented by
Elaine Pedley,
text courtesy of
Amir Muhammad
#112 chi too
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Synopsis
The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (led by former Democrat presidential candidate John Kerry) has recently released a report, titled 'Trafficking and Extortion of Burmese Migrants in Malaysia and Southern Thailand'.
The report was the result of investigations prompted by allegations of the trafficking of thousands of Burmese refugees who were held in detention centres around Malaysia. The refugees were deported to the Thai-Malaysian border, where they were extorted for up to RM2,000 each in return for safe journey back to Malaysia.
This week, we speak with a Burmese human rights and workers' rights activist - he shares with us why and how the Burmese come to Malaysia, and reveals details of the trafficking process.
Michael (not his real name) is a Burmese workers' rights activist.
Ed note: Zan Azlee did a special report for Al Jazeera on refugee children and their rights to education in Malaysia. Video embedded below.
Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita was recently interviewed for a radio documentary on Burmese Refugees living in Malaysia. Below is the unedited, 30mins raw footage. It's worth listening to if you want a better understanding of the issue. Irene explains the difference between refugees and illegal immigrants, the risks refugees face in Malaysia, reports of the treatment they are subjected to under the hands of the Malaysian authorities, reports of trafficking and abuse, and why it is in everyone's interest that the international community finds a long-term solution to the political problems in Myanmar. Click here for mp3.
Running, a documentary on this same topic produced by Suaram is available now. More info here or watch the trailer here.
#112 chi too
#111 Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa
#110 Fahmi Reza
#109 Hishamuddin Rais
#108 Azmi Sharom
#107 Yasmin Ahmad
#106 Jacqueline Ann Surin
#105 Edmund Bon
#104 Hilman Idham, UKM4