HUMAN RIGHTS MODULE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL Reference notes for the teacher: 12. Among the articles in the CRC that are relevant to the activity: • Right of the child to education (Article 28, CRC) • Non-discrimination (Article 2, CRC) • Freedom of expression (Article 12, CRC) DID YOU KNOW? Refugee is a person who is outside their country of nationality or habitual residence, and has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion and is unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of their country of nationality or habitual residence. - The 1951 Refugee Convention Do They Also Have Rights? Of course! Refugees have the same rights as anyone else, such as... Right to work Right to practice religion Right to education Right to health Right to shelter Right to fair trial Right to freedom of movement The rights of refugees are enshrined in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. However, Malaysia has yet to ratify this Convention. Malaysia does not have any specific law on refugees. Under the Immigration Act 1959/63, a refugee is still regarded as an immigrant. High medical cost for non-UNHCR card holders Challenges Faced by Refugees in Malaysia No access to formal education No formal employment opportunity Victim of human trafficking Vulnerable to arrest and detention by the authorities Facts & Figure Number of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia up to June 2019 178,450 Myanmar-153,800 Pakistan-6,640 Yemen-3,660 Syria-3,250 Somalia-3,230 Sri Lanka-1,740 Iraq-1,220 Afghanistan-2,690 Palestine-750 46,730 Female 32% Male 68% Children under 18 years old Source: Protect and Respect #RefugeeRights #RatifyRefugeeConvention 60 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)