Defender of migrant workers' rights Irene passes away

Noted Malaysian human rights activist Dr Irene Fernandez, who died of a cardiac arrest on March 31, was laid to rest on Thursday.
Known as champion of the oppressed, Irene, 67, came to the aid of thousands of migrant workers,

including Bangladeshis, who were victims of abuse and trafficking.
Following a funeral service at the Church of The Divine Mercy in Malaysian city, Shah Alam, she was cremated, as per her wish, and the remains were buried at the Christian Cemetery in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
Among others present at the funeral to pay their last respects were a good number of migrant workers from Bangladesh, Nepal and India, who were helped by the rights organisation, Tenaganita, founded by Irene.
“I can't imagine that Irene is no longer with us. She is my inspiration, my mother, and my teacher in activism,” said Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, a Bangladeshi and coordinator for Caram Asia, a regional network of 42 migrant organisations in 20 countries across Asia, founded by Irene.
In a statement, he said he would continue the struggle to protect the rights and livelihood of the marginalised community.
“Irene, you are alive in my heart and in my daily activities,” said Harun, who has been working with Irene's organisation for about a decade.
As director of Tenaganita, she filed hundreds of cases on behalf of the Bangladeshi workers, who were victimised at the hands of the unscrupulous employers or agents, and gave shelter in need.
For speaking against state policies on the migrant workers in Malaysia, the rights defender came under severe attacks in different times.
In 2005, she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award for her outstanding and courageous work for stopping violence against women and abuses of migrant and poor workers.