Malaysia Denied Caning UN-recognized Refugee

02 July 2011 - KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Government has denied allegations that a Chin refugee from Burma was wrongfully detained for three months and judicially caned last year.

"I do not know the details of the allegations but I believe that he must have done something against the law before he was charged in court," said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, on Tuesday in the Parliament.

"The suggestion that the authorities would detain anyone who did not break any laws is ridiculous. Citizens or refugees must adhere to the country’s law," the Minister said.

The Chin refugee, Kap Lian, 20, claimed that he was convicted and jailed for three months and caned three times with a rattan last year even though he holds a UNHCR card.

He was tried before a court without any legal representation or an interpreter.

He explained that he couldn't contact the UNHCR because his card, which contained a hot-line number, was confiscated by law enforcement officials.(ChinlandGuardian)