Rights body warns of escalating online hostility and doxxing fears targeting Rohingya communities in Malaysia, urging an end to dehumanising rhetoric and stronger protection for refugees.
PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has condemned what it described as escalating hate speech and dehumanisation targeting the Rohingya community in the country, amid concerns over online posts and alleged attempts to trace the whereabouts of community members.
The warning came after Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (MERHROM) president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani claimed he feared for his safety after being informed that individuals had been asking members of the community for his home location.
“I don’t know what happened. Malaysians are searching for my location again. They asked many Rohingya where my house location,” he said in a message.
His concern follows the circulation of an anti-Rohingya Facebook post which allegedly encouraged users to identify Rohingya residents in a Cheras flat area. Identifying details have been withheld due to safety concerns.
In a statement, MERHROM urged an end to hate speech, xenophobia and misinformation targeting the community.
“Day by day, the Rohingya continue facing hate speech, disinformation, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. These are the main reasons why we become enemies and fight each other,” it said.
The organisation also called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Malaysian government to intervene and provide protection for vulnerable individuals.
Responding to the issue, Suhakam said it was “deeply concerned” over growing hostility and discriminatory rhetoric directed at Rohingya refugees, particularly during recent Eid al-Adha celebrations.
“The circulation of abusive comments and hateful narratives targeting Rohingya refugees during their religious observances is deeply troubling and reflects a dangerous trend of dehumanisation,” the commission said.
Suhakam stressed that refugees should not be conflated with economic migrants, noting that many Rohingya were forced to flee due to long-standing persecution and statelessness.
“The overwhelming majority of Rohingya refugees did not come to Malaysia by choice, but out of necessity and survival,” it said.
It added that portraying refugees as opportunistic migrants misrepresents their lived realities and risks deepening discrimination.
The commission also urged Malaysians, including public figures and social media users, to avoid spreading harmful stereotypes or inflammatory rhetoric.
“Freedom of expression carries responsibilities and should never be used to incite hatred, discrimination or hostility towards vulnerable communities,” it said, adding that legitimate policy concerns must not come at the expense of human dignity.
