Smuggling of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Malaysia: A Threat to Human Security (Penyeludupan Etnik Rohingya dari Myanmar ke Malaysia: Satu Ancaman Keselamatan Insan)

Abstract

Irregular migration of the Rohingyas from Myanmar to Malaysia has been made possible by the presence of smuggling networks, which activities are not well understood due to their clandestine and complex modus operandi. Although the smuggling of Rohingyas can help to ensure their safe migration to Malaysia, it is also associated with a variety of risks and threats against the Rohingya victims. This study seeks to describe the smuggling of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Malaysia and aims to explain how their smuggling becomes a threat to their human security. Deriving from a two-part field work engaging the Rohingya refugees, activists and community leaders between 2013 and 2016 in Klang Valley, Malaysia, this studyfound that the smuggling of Rohingyas consists of several typical activities such as recruitment of victims, negotiating the terms of their smuggling, embarkation from points of origin, and transiting in transit countries before their arrival in Malaysia. While some Rohingya victims managed to be smuggled without encountering any unfortunate incidents, other victims were exploited, deceived, coerced and physically assaulted and/or tortured throughout their smuggling journey. These extreme incidents depict that their smuggling can turn into another humanitarian crime, namelyhuman trafficking, and most importantly, puts their lives at greater risk of human (in) security. This studyfurther argues that the risks and threats facing by Rohingya victims are interlinked to one another. As such, any effort to eliminate the smuggling of Rohingyas should address the root causes including ensuring their full enjoyment of human rights and guaranteeing their safety and protection in Myanmar.

Keywords: Human security; Rohingya; smuggling of migrants; trafficking in persons; victims

Abstrak

Migrasi tanpa izin pelarian etnik Rohingya dari Myanmar ke Malaysia dipengaruhi oleh kewujudan rangkaian penyeludupan yang mana aktivitinya masih tidak difahami kerana bersifat kompleks dan rahsia. Walaupun penyeludupan pelarian Rohingya boleh memastikan migrasi mereka secara selamat ke Malaysia, ia masih mempunyai pelbagai risiko dan ancaman terhadap mangsa penyeludupan Rohingya. Kajian ini dijalankan bagi memperihalkan penyeludupan pelarian Rohingya dari Myanmar ke Malaysia dan menjelaskan bagaimana penyeludupan mereka ke Malaysia merupakan satu ancaman terhadap keselamatan insan. Berdasarkan dua sesi kajian lapangan terhadap pelarian, aktivis dan pemimpin komuniti Rohingya di Lembah Klang, Malaysia pada tahun 2013 dan 2016, kajian ini mendapati terdapat beberapa aktiviti lazim penyeludupan pelarian Rohingya seperti merekrut mangsa, perbincangan mengenai terma penyeludupan, perjalanan dari wilayah asal dan perhentian di negara transit sebelum ketibaan mereka di Malaysia. Walaupun terdapat mangsa pelarian Rohingya yang Berjaya diseludup ke Malaysia tanpa sebarang malapetaka menimpa mereka, terdapat mangsa pelarian Rohingya lain yang berhadapan dengan eksploitasi, pemerdayaan, pemaksaan dan kekerasan fizikal. Kes-kes seumpama ini menunjukkan bahawa penyeludupan mereka boleh bertukar menjadi satu lagi jenayah kemanusiaan iaitu pemerdagangan orang, dan lebih penting lagi, ia menyebabkan keselamataninsan mereka terancam. Kajian ini juga berhujah bahawa bahaya dan ancaman yang dihadapi mangsa pelarian Rohingya adalah saling bergantung antara satu sama lain. Oleh itu, sebarang usaha untuk menghapuskan penyeludupan pelarian Rohingya perlu mengambil kira faktor-faktor asas termasuk memastikan mereka menikmati hak asasi manusia di samping menjamin keselamatan dan perlindungan mereka di Myanmar.

Kata kunci:Keselamatan insan; Rohingya; penyeludupan migran; pemerdagangan orang; mangsa