Malaysia subjects refugees to torture
Al Jazeera documents cases of abuse and mistreatment in the wake of series of raids to catch illegal immigrants.
Malaysian authorities have launched a series of raids to catch illegal immigrants and refugees who have no legal status.
That is because Malaysia has never signed the 1951 UN Convention recognising refugees. And that means that if they are caught, they face arrest and detention. It is estimated that there are some 150,000 asylum seekers living there. Because of its porous borders and proximity to many regions of conflict, it is a key place for asylum seekers to go.
In an exclusive undercover investigation, Al Jazeera documents their abuse and mistreatment at the hands of Malaysian authorities, and also international agencies which are supposed to help.
Al Jazeera’s Steve Chao reports.