Gabriela Solon Slams Human Rights Violations Against Sabah Deportees

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Luzviminda C. Ilagan condemned the inhumane treatment of 250 Filipinos, majority of whom came from the southern part of Mindanao, detained in Sabah jails prior to their deportation.

"The imprisonment of 250 undocumented Filipinos in Sabah was illegal. Their detention without proper trial and means is in violation of universal rights and laws," the Mindanaoan solon said.

Ilagan urged the Philippine government to look into the poor condition of Filipinos languishing in Sabah jails and to take immediate steps to help them.

"There were complaints from the deported Filipinos that they were held in poorly maintained jails, not given enough food, and not provided proper health care. A woman deportee even gave birth inside a Malaysian jail. Even if she were an undocumented migrant, she should have received medical attention," she said.

Ilagan further said that "consultations with the Malaysian government alone will not ensure the safe return of Filipinos from Malaysia. What is needed is a concrete plan that will protect and ensure their rights while still outside the Philippines. The Arroyo government should act now because thousands are expected to be deported in the coming weeks."

The former professor from Davao also reiterated her earlier call to create local jobs in order for the deported immigrants and Filipinos in general not to be tempted to leave the country illegally in search of better paying jobs.