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The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has described the wave of criticism directed at the Rohingya community following the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations last week as deeply troubling, warning that it reflects a dangerous trend of dehumanisation.
In a statement issued today, SUHAKAM stressed that human suffering should not be measured selectively.
“Genocide is genocide, regardless of where it occurs. The international community has rightly expressed outrage over the devastation and loss of civilian lives in Gaza.
“That same commitment to human dignity and justice must extend to all peoples facing persecution, including the Rohingya, who have endured decades of systemic discrimination, statelessness, forced displacement and mass atrocities in Myanmar,” the commission said.
SUHAKAM said that findings by international bodies, including the United Nations’ Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, have documented acts that may amount to genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya people.
The commission also stressed the importance of distinguishing refugees from migrants.
“Refugees do not leave their homes voluntarily in search of better economic opportunities.
“They are forced to flee because of persecution, armed conflict, violence or serious human rights violations in their countries of origin.
“The Rohingya, in particular, have endured decades of systematic discrimination, statelessness and targeted violence that have left them with little choice but to seek safety elsewhere,” it said.
SUHAKAM added that the overwhelming majority of Rohingya refugees did not come to Malaysia by choice, but out of necessity and survival.
“For many, Malaysia serves as a place of temporary refuge while they await durable solutions, including voluntary repatriation when conditions are safe and dignified, or resettlement to third countries willing to provide them with long-term protection.
“Portraying refugees as opportunistic migrants not only misrepresents their lived realities but also obscures the grave human rights violations that forced them to flee in the first place,” it said.
At the same time, SUHAKAM warned that public discourse portraying refugees as less deserving of rights, respect or compassion risks normalising hatred and deepening social divisions.
READ MORE: Malaysia’s Rohingya Question: What The Petition Says, What The Anger Is About, And What The Facts Actually Show
The commission also called on all Malaysians, including public figures, media practitioners and social media users, to refrain from spreading harmful stereotypes, misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric against refugees and asylum seekers.
Hundreds of thousands of netizens recently signed a petition titled “Remove Rohingya from Malaysia” on Change.org, urging authorities to repatriate Rohingya refugees or relocate them to third countries.
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