Malaysia: Not welcome here: 'Vigilante' force targets migrants in Malaysia

Malaysia: Not welcome here: 'Vigilante' force targets migrants in Malaysia

Index Number: ASA 28/007/2007
Date Published: 18 December 2007
Categories: Malaysia

In 2005, the powers of Rela, a civilian volunteer corps backed by the government, were increased, giving them the right to stop, question and arrest anyone reasonably believed to be a terrorist, an undesirable person or an "illegal immigrant". Rela has been accused of excessive use of force and abuse of the human rights of migrants and refugees. This focus sheet urges the Malaysian authorities to ensure, for example, that disproportionate force is not used against irregular migrants and to ratify pertinent international human rights conventions.