Sparwood Author Sheds Light on Statelessness inNovel 'Ghost Citizens'

Sparwood author Jamie Chai Yun Liew has written a novel, 'Ghost Citizens', which explores the global issue of statelessness through interviews with stateless people from Malaysia. The book examines unjust legal practices in Malaysia, where citizens are accused of being foreigners without legal proof, and people are ignored by the government when attempting to gain or verify their citizenship.

Why this matters: The issue of statelessness has far-reaching consequences, including denying individuals access to basic human rights and increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and persecution. As the global displacement crisis continues to grow, addressing statelessness is crucial to ensuring the dignity and well-being of millions of people worldwide.

Liew, a practicing immigration lawyer in Ottawa, was born in Fernie and grew up in Sparwood. Her father immigrated to Canada in the early 1970s after experiencing statelessness in Brunei due to his ethnically Chinese background. The book features nearly 20 interviews with stateless people from Malaysia, as well as lawyers, academics, andactivists.

Stateless individuals are denied citizenship, making them "legally homeless" and at risk of being excluded from accessing education, healthcare, and housing. "Being stateless is a very precarious status. It means you're legally homeless," Liew explains. "When you don't have citizenship, you're at risk of being excluded from accessing education, health care and housing."

The book shares specific examples of the struggles faced by stateless people in Malaysia. Roisah, a young woman, was refused citizenship for many years because she was adopted, despite being raised by Malaysian parents who took steps to make the adoption official through proper legal channels. Stateless individuals in Malaysia are also denied access to university education and sports teams due to lack of proper legal identification.

Liew initially wanted to conduct research in Brunei but was unable to do so due to fear of government reprisal among potential interviewees. Malaysia was chosen as an alternative location, as it also has a significant number of stateless people. "I feel like it's just pure luck and timing of my father's life choices that really changed the course of my own life,"Liew reflects on her personal connection to the issue.

The issue of statelessness remains a pressing global concern. Over 130 million people are expected to be displaced in 2024, including 35 million refugees, half of whom are children. Jamie Chai Yun Liew's novel 'Ghost Citizens' sheds important light on the struggles and injustices faced by stateless individuals, humanizing a crisis that demands urgent attention and action from the international community.

Key Takeaways

• Jamie Chai Yun Liew's novel "Ghost Citizens" explores statelessness in Malaysia through 20+ interviews.
• Statelessness denies individuals basic human rights, increasing vulnerability to exploitation and persecution.
• Over 130 million people are expected to be displaced in 2024, including 35 million refugees.
• Liew's personal connection to statelessness stems from her father's experience in Brunei.