UNHCR says reports should be filed on alleged intimidation by guards

PETALING JAYA: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged refugees who are allegedly being harassed by security guards working at its office to come forward and report incidents.

This comes after the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR) today called for an end to alleged physical harassment by security guards working for the UNHCR.

However, UNHCR has said it has not received any reports of ill-treatment by security personnel against refugees from the Chin community.

UNHCR has stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud, misconduct, corruption, exploitation or abuse by its staff or anyone working on its behalf.

We take such allegations very seriously, the statement said.

We continue to encourage people with concerns about fraud, corruption, sexual abuse or exploitation, and other misconduct to file a report with the Inspector-Generals Office (IGO), which provides independent assurance and oversight of UNHCR’s activities and operations.

It was also stated that information on how to contact the IGO is regularly shared with communities and that this information can also be found on the IGO website.

Earlier, FMT quoted ACR Chairman James Bawi Thang Bik as saying that guards at the gates of the UNHCR office had used physical force to turn away refugees who did not make appointments with their social workers.

He also said that he had personally experienced such abuse.

James also claimed that there have been two cases in the past three months where refugees were punched and kicked by guards after asking to meet their aid workers.

In response, UNHCR said it has always maintained and will continue to maintain an open-door policy and will give all petitions the due attention they deserve.

This year alone, 70 sessions have been held with refugee representatives, including the Chin community, to enable dialogue and information exchange on a range of protection issues, the report said.

It was also indicated that representatives of the Chin refugee community actively participate in these participatory platforms, where the concerns of their community are regularly expressed and responded to.

Earlier today, the ACR held a peaceful protest outside the UNHCR office on Jalan Bukit Petaling. More than 300 protesters gathered outside the gates holding placards that read: Guards are not my case officers, UNHCR should register us before we die and You have no power to send me away.