Malaysia deports UNHCR refugees

located:	Malaysia, Sri Lanka
editor:	Vanessa Ellingham

Malaysia has flouted its international obligations, deporting three Tamil migrants back to Sri Lanka where they are at risk of torture.

Despite being protected by the UN refugee agency UNHCR, two refugees and one asylum seeker waiting to hear the result of their application refguee status have been forcibly removed from Malaysia today and returned to their native Sri Lanka.

While Malaysia has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, all nations are expected to adhere to international refugee law which forbids non-refoulement, that is not sending a person back to a country where their life would be threatened.

The trio were arrested two weeks ago, and have since been deported after Malaysia's Inspector General of Police announced that they were terrorists. No further explanation was given.

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