PETALING JAYA: Access to quality education will allow refugees to contribute meaningfully to their host country, says the Myanmar Ethic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (Merhrom).
Its president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani welcomed the statement by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir calling on the government to review policies that deny refugees or stateless children access to formal education.
"This is a crucial move in order for the refugees and stateless to rebuild our broken lives and our generation.
"Therefore, allowing refugees access to quality education from primary to tertiary level is vital.
"This will allow them to give back to the host country and its people as well as the refugee community," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 14).
In a royal address at a Human Rights Day forum on Monday (Dec 12), Tuanku Muhriz called for the review of policies to break the cycle of generational poverty among refugees and stateless people, saying it would be a significant step to benefit the country.
"We agree with Tuanku Muhriz that we need holistic and long-term solutions on this issue.
"Merhrom is willing to give input to the government on this issue as there are many factors preventing refugee and stateless children from (attending) school.
"Therefore, access must be granted in order for them to get formal education," he added.
He said history has shown that refugees can succeed with the right support and opportunities to learn and grow.
"Refugees who had education not only benefitted themselves but also their community and the host countries.
"Ilhan Omar, a member of the US House of Representatives representing Minnesota, is a Somali refugee.
"Senator Fatima Payman of Western Australia is the daughter of a refugee from Afghanistan," he said, citing them as exemplary.
In Malaysia, he said, Yayasan Chow Kit has aided the refugee community for many years, allowing over 100 youths to successfully pursue tertiary education.
"This is definitely a great success and the achievement must be shared to encourage others to do the same," he added.
"(Helping and managing refugees) effectively can be done in many ways, including through partnership and sponsorship programmes with educational institutions both in or outside Malaysia. This will not burden host countries," he suggested.
Zafar also pointed that genuine refugees are not a threat to any country as the majority of them are victims of war, genocide and persecution in their homelands.
"Therefore, having a clear and comprehensive refugee policy and management will definitely benefit both refugees and host countries, and break the generational cycle of poverty among refugees and stateless people," he said.
