Refugee Children Case Study

In the article entitles, “The Protection of Refugee Children in Malaysia: Wishful Thinking or Reality?, Amer (2005) states that Malaysian government claims the issue of protection upon refugee children has fall under the CRC which Malaysia has ratified. Furthermore, Dina Imam Supaat (2012) also claims that since Malaysian authority has been ratified the CRC, thus, it brings Malaysia with a commitment to put the best interest of the child as the priority. Hence, any decision or action that will affect the life or survival of the child, this principle should be on consideration. Discussing on the treatment accorded to refugee children by Malaysian authorities, there are several issues that need to be focused. First one is the issue of detention.

In Malaysia, children of irregular migrants born in Malaysia have experienced challenges in attaining identity cards and access to services. Although the 1957 Birth and Death Registration Act provides for the registration of every child born in Malaysia, this does not automatically entitle registered child refugees to access to public services. The words “non-citizen” is stamped on birth certificates issues to non-Malaysian children and this excludes them from access to provisions accorded to nationals such as education, public healthcare and other social services. They cannot attend public school due to their illegal status and as the result, they attend the Madrasha in order to gain their

These situations need to be improved in order to protect their rights and to serve a better future for them. This can be seen through the study that has been conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siah Poh Chua (2016) in order to help refugees move on. This study is conducted to understand the quality of life among child refugees in Selangor. The findings prove that the quality of life affected by three core factors include their experience of deportation, level of education and their father’s employment. A child who has a chance to pursue a highest level of education, who have not been deported and whose father is employed is more likely to have a better quality of life. Thus, if this situation is been ignored, it will become a social burden rather than an asset in the near future. Some suggestions have been provided for the government. Firstly, the government should provide opportunities for them to get a good education. Second, provide jobs for their parents so they can earn wages to support their children’s studies and the last one is provide protection against the risk of being caught and deported. Government is encouraged to relook the CRC which mention about no discrimination of any kind against