Examining Human Rights in the Context of ASEAN Regional Migration: Summary of Findings from APHR Fact-Finding Mission to Malaysia

JAKARTA – Members of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) released today “Examining Human Rights in the Context of ASEAN Regional Migration,” a summary report of findings from a recently concluded fact-finding mission to Malaysia. The mission, which took place from 3 to 7 August 2017, was aimed at developing a more comprehensive understanding of issues related to migrant workers, refugees, and human trafficking in Malaysia and in the broader ASEAN region, as well as developing a series of recommendations to address concerns.

The post-mission report highlights key findings from the visit, including rights abuses against migrant workers, a failure of sending countries and embassies to support and protect their nationals, a lack of adequate protections for asylum seekers and refugees, and a lack of concrete measures to address human trafficking at its roots. The report also includes preliminary recommendations aimed at the Malaysian government, other Southeast Asian governments, and ASEAN as a regional body.

“For far too long, ASEAN governments have taken little to no action to protect migrant workers and their families. Refugees also face immense hurdles to recognition and protection region-wide. In an increasingly integrated ASEAN region, it is critical that governments engage in a coordinated effort to ensure that the rights of all people are protected,” said APHR Board Member Teddy Baguilat, a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, who participated in the fact-finding mission.

“This report highlights not only our findings related to the human rights implications of migration in ASEAN, but also some of the concrete steps that governments and ASEAN bodies can take to address the situation.”

The report is available here.