Over the last 3 weeks, there have been 4 raids covering different locations in the country. Women and children are also in the list of those arrested and detained by the immigration department, whereby 4 million personnel out of which 2.8 million RELA members have been deployed to conduct these operations.

We have received information about the crackdowns and the numbers of people being arrested are mostly likely to be more than what has been stated. Below are the information on the crackdowns:

1. Kuala Lumpur, 11^th February, 2012 – approximately 100-200 people arrested
2. Kajang, 25^th February 2012 – approximately 15-50 people arrested
3. Johor, 29^th February, 2012 – 40 arrested
4. Alor Setar, Kedah, 5^th March, 2012- 33 arrested

Those arrested under this crackdown are believed to be taken to the immigration depot before being deported.

According to Tan Sri Mahmood Adam, Secretary-General of the Home Ministry press statement on 14^th February 2012, 94, 856 of these vulnerable people have been deported since the 6P program began in mid 2011.The force deportation is totally against the _international customary lawof non-refoulementwhich prohibits the return of people to places where they may face persecution or threats to their life or freedoms.

SUARAM strongly condemns and demands MOHA to stop the ongoing crackdown immediately and work on more proper and firmed plan surrounding the 6P program, in particular on the enforcement phase. It is important to prevent any unnecessary arrest, abuse of power, the use of violence, mistreatment and detention of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia and to treat them with basic human rights – human dignity and life.