©The Malaysian Insight (Used by permission)
MALAYSIA should refrain from sending 11 Uighur Muslims back to China after they escaped from a Thai prison, the Bar Council said.
“The Malaysian Bar calls on the Malaysian government to adhere to principles of international law, specifically the customary international law of non–refoulement, and refrain from sending 11 Uighurs reportedly in Malaysian custody back to China,” its president said George Varughese in a statement today.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as saying China has requested Malaysia deport 11 Uighur Muslims who were detained last year.
He added Malaysia will adhere to the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) through Interpol.
“The Malaysian Government’s record on respecting international law leaves much to be desired,” Varughese said in the statement.
Varughese also said Malaysia should not be sending the prisoners back as they were seeking asylum here.
“The Malaysian government must not abdicate or ignore its legal and moral obligation not to deport individuals to situations where their lives may be in serious jeopardy,” he said.
He added in the MLA signed with China in 2015, there are extradition prohibitions including safety concerns.
“The Malaysian Bar cautions the Malaysian Government not to dismiss due consideration of these provisions.
“The Malaysian Government cannot simply hide behind the reason of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, as an excuse to deport the Uighurs back to China,” Varughese said.
Local politicians and even the United States are concerned about the deportation of Uighurs to China due to political pressure. – February 15, 2018.