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World

Malaysia begins deporting 1,500 Myanmar nationals despite UN safety warnings

Malaysia has begun deporting around 1,500 Myanmar nationals — the first phase of a plan that could see 5,000 returned — defying objections from the United Nations and dozens of human rights groups.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 2 min read

Malaysia began deporting around 1,500 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday, the first phase of a repatriation programme agreed with Myanmar that could see as many as 5,000 people returned, despite objections from the United Nations and dozens of human rights groups.

Dozens of buses accompanied by security vehicles arrived at a stadium near the Lumut naval base in Malaysia’s Perak state on Tuesday morning before being moved to the port, where two Myanmar naval vessels and a hospital ship had docked, according to Reuters witnesses. A home ministry spokesperson confirmed the deportation process had begun but declined to give further details, referring media to the ministry’s August 27 statement, which said the repatriation involved 1,476 Myanmar nationals identified by the Myanmar government.

Malaysia insists the programme is strictly voluntary. But the UN refugee agency has said current conditions in Myanmar “do not support the safe and sustainable return of refugees” and that it was not involved in identifying those being returned. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a 2021 coup triggered a civil war, with the military fighting armed groups across multiple frontlines.

According to UNHCR data, Malaysia hosts around 193,000 refugees from Myanmar, roughly two-thirds of them ethnic Rohingya. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in July that Myanmar had agreed to take back as many as 5,000 Rohingya refugees, and this month said he would invite Myanmar’s military chief-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing for an official visit in return.

It was unclear whether any Rohingya were among those being repatriated on Tuesday. James Bawi Thang Bik, who represents Myanmar’s Chin refugee community in Malaysia, said he was aware of several asylum-seekers among those being deported, including a UNHCR card holder, citing information gathered by community leaders. Based on accounts of previously deported refugees, he said those sent back could face forced conscription or detention.

“We fear that they may be forced to fight on the frontlines of the conflict. For many it is akin to sending them to a death sentence in their own home,” he said.

Sources

More on this topic: all World stories

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