Malaysia urged to get Myanmar’s junta to release activist Thuzar Maung
Human Rights Watch is calling for a new investigation into the disappearance of the supporter of the opposition government-in-exile who went missing in Ampang (Malaysia). The advocacy group also warns of the risk of a possible transnational crackdown by Myanmar’s military junta. The activist fled in 2015 and was living under the protection of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – An international human rights group has urged Malaysia to push Myanmar’s military junta for the immediate release of refugee activist Thuzar Maung and her family, who were allegedly abducted from their home in Ampang, Selangor, more than two years ago.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the junta confirmed last Friday that it was holding Thuzar, 48, her husband, and their three children, on charges of “illegally re-entering” Myanmar.
The military regime also claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Thuzar in January 2023 under the country’s counterterrorism law for allegedly supporting the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), which the junta has branded a terrorist organisation after it seized power in February 2021.
“Malaysian authorities should publicly press Myanmar’s junta to free Thuzar and her family and investigate how this prominent refugee ended up in Myanmar,” said HRW Asia director Elaine Pearson.
Malaysia, which is set to host this year’s ASEAN summit, “is failing to protect refugees at risk, including children. The role of Myanmar’s junta – and possibly other governments – needs to be fully explored and brought to light,” Pearson added.
HRW described the case as a potential instance of transnational repression, where authoritarian regimes target exiled dissidents and refugees beyond their borders.
It called on Malaysia to reopen investigations into the family’s disappearance and for ASEAN members at the upcoming 47th summit (27-28 October) in Kuala Lumpur to address the broader issue of refugee protection and regional accountability.
“Refugees like Thuzar and her family should be safe from harm,” HRW said. “Malaysia and other countries need to act to deter further efforts by the junta to abduct and disappear Myanmar refugees.”
Malaysian police had earlier classified the case as a missing persons investigation.
In September 2023, Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri Shuhaily Zain said CCTV footage showed the family entering a car voluntarily, though he did not rule out foul play.
Thuzar, a known activist who fled Myanmar in 2015, had been living in Malaysia under UNHCR protection before her sudden disappearance.
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11/05/2023 13:51
