Trafficking of Rohingyas

‘Syndicate committed crimes against humanity in Malaysia, Thailand’

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and Fortify Rights find "reasonable grounds" to believe that a human-trafficking syndicate committed "crimes against humanity" in Malaysia and Thailand against Rohingya men, women, and children from 2012 to 2015. From 2012 to 2015, more than 170,000 people boarded ships from Myanmar and Bangladesh bound for Malaysia and Thailand, according to the new joint report released in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

The majority of people trafficked during this period were Rohingya Muslims, it said adding that in late 2014 and 2015, traffickers also began to target Bangladeshi nationals as well.

The trade in Rohingya from 2012 to 2015 is estimated to have generated between US$50 to US$100 million (174.5 to 349 million Malaysian Ringgit) annually.

The 121-page report follows the government of Malaysia's recent creation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate human trafficking and mass graves-believed to contain the bodies of trafficked Rohingya and Bangladeshis-discovered in Wang Kelian, Perlis State in 2015.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry is expected to submit its final report in June.

"The victims of these crimes and their families suffered tremendously, and these horrific crimes should never happen again in Malaysia and anywhere else for that matter," said

SUHAKAM Commissioner Jerald Joseph. “This report provides new evidence that we hope will help ensure justice for victims, accountability for perpetrators, and policy changes to strengthen the Malaysian and regional response to human trafficking.”

The report titled “Sold Like Fish,” is based on a multi-year joint investigation including more than 270 interviews with eyewitnesses, survivors, human traffickers, government officials, and others from 2013 to 2019.

It documented the crimes of human traffickers against Rohingya refugee women, men, and children at sea and in human-trafficking camps in Malaysia and Thailand.

The report also documented how Malaysian authorities destroyed the human-trafficking campsite in Wang Kelian the day after it was discovered, potentially diminishing evidence that could have aided a police investigation.

The four-month delay in exhuming bodies delayed post-mortem examinations and, in turn, hampered forensic specialists from identifying the cause of death of exhumed remains.

These and other factors may constitute obstruction of justice, said SUHAKAM and Fortify Rights.

The joint report focuses on crimes committed against Rohingya refugees from 2012 to 2015. While international crimes against Rohingya have been well-documented in Myanmar, “Sold Like Fish” is the first report to document international crimes perpetrated against Rohingya outside Myanmar.

For the investigation, SUHAKAM visited Wang Kelian, Perlis State, Rohingya communities in Alor Setar, Kedah State and the Belantik immigration detention center in Kedah State, where the authorities detained survivors from the Wang Kelian camp.

Fortify Rights visited internment camps in Myanmar, refugee camps in Bangladesh, immigration detention centers and government-run shelters in Thailand, refugee camps in Indonesia, and refugee communities in Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

Trafficking of Rohingyas

Syndicate committed crimes against humanity in Malaysia, Thailand

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and Fortify Rights find reasonable grounds to believe that a human-trafficking syndicate committed crimes against humanity in Malaysia and Thailand against Rohingya men, women, and children from 2012 to 2015. From 2012 to 2015, more than 170,000 people boarded ships from Myanmar and Bangladesh bound for Malaysia and Thailand, according to the new joint report released in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. The majority of people trafficked during this period were Rohingya Muslims, it said adding that in late 2014 and 2015, traffickers also began to target Bangladeshi nationals as well. The trade in Rohingya from 2012 to 2015 is estimated to have generated between US$50 to US$100 million (174.5 to 349 million Malaysian Ringgit) annually. The 121-page report follows the government of Malaysias recent creation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate human trafficking and mass graves-believed to contain the bodies of trafficked Rohingya and Bangladeshis-discovered in Wang Kelian, Perlis State in 2015. The Royal Commission of Inquiry is expected to submit its final report in June. The victims of these crimes and their families suffered tremendously, and these horrific crimes should never happen again in Malaysia and anywhere else for that matter, said SUHAKAM Commissioner Jerald Joseph. This report provides new evidence that we hope will help ensure justice for victims, accountability for perpetrators, and policy changes to strengthen the Malaysian and regional response to human trafficking. The report titled Sold Like Fish, is based on a multi-year joint investigation including more than 270 interviews with eyewitnesses, survivors, human traffickers, government officials, and others from 2013 to 2019. It documented the crimes of human traffickers against Rohingya refugee women, men, and children at sea and in human-trafficking camps in Malaysia and Thailand. The report also documented how Malaysian authorities destroyed the human-trafficking campsite in Wang Kelian the day after it was discovered, potentially diminishing evidence that could have aided a police investigation. The four-month delay in exhuming bodies delayed post-mortem examinations and, in turn, hampered forensic specialists from identifying the cause of death of exhumed remains. These and other factors may constitute obstruction of justice, said SUHAKAM and Fortify Rights. The joint report focuses on crimes committed against Rohingya refugees from 2012 to 2015. While international crimes against Rohingya have been well-documented in Myanmar, Sold Like Fish is the first report to document international crimes perpetrated against Rohingya outside Myanmar. For the investigation, SUHAKAM visited Wang Kelian, Perlis State, Rohingya communities in Alor Setar, Kedah State and the Belantik immigration detention center in Kedah State, where the authorities detained survivors from the Wang Kelian camp. Fortify Rights visited internment camps in Myanmar, refugee camps in Bangladesh, immigration detention centers and government-run shelters in Thailand, refugee camps in Indonesia, and refugee communities in Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.