For more than ten years, Irene has been faced with a ‘criminal defamation’ charge (which has now been dropped) for having published a memorandum, asking the Malaysian government to look into alleged atrocities taking place in migrant camps in the country. 
Kwa zaidi ya miaka kumi, Irene amekuwa akikabiliwa na mashtaka ya 'uhalifu wa kuvunjia heshima" (ambayo kwa sasa yamefutwa) baada ya kuchapisha memoranda akiihimiza serikali ya Maylasia kuchunguza tuhuma za mateso yanayofanywa katika kambi za wakimbizi nchini humo.