Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 June 2005. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Thursday, 9 June 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Malaysia

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights compliance of the (a) immigration and (b) labour policies of Malaysia.

Answer: [holding answer 8 June 2005]: Aspects of the Malaysian Government's recent efforts to curb large-scale illegal immigration, which has had a direct and negative impact on the Malaysian labour market, have given rise to potential human rights concerns. EU Missions in Malaysia are monitoring the situation and have supported the efforts of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to minimise the impact of Malaysia's immigration policies on vulnerable groups. Following assurances from the Malaysian Government, EU Missions and UNHCR have agreed to delay making further representations to see if these assurances will be honoured. Conditions for refugees in detention centres remain a cause for concern, but the Malaysian Government is currently considering recommendations for improvements made by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. The British high commissioner in Kuala Lumpur continues to take appropriate opportunities to address human rights issues with the Malaysian Government, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Secondary information