Malaysia begins return of Myanmar nationals amid rights warnings

Malaysia began returning nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals to their war-torn country on Tuesday, proceeding with a repatriation agreement despite warnings from rights groups about persecution and forced conscription. The first group of 1,476 people is part of a plan to return 5,000 people held in Malaysian immigration facilities. Malaysia describes the programme as voluntary, but rights advocates say there are insufficient safeguards and limited transparency.

Buses accompanied by security vehicles travelled from a stadium near the Lumut naval base in Perak to a port where three Myanmar naval vessels were docked. Access to the operation was restricted to selected media, and it remained unclear whether Rohingya Muslims were included. Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry said those being returned had been accepted by Myanmar’s government.

It separately identified 4,008 detainees, mainly Rohingya, for a refugee registration programme rather than repatriation. Refugee advocate Mahi Ramakrishnan said the UN refugee agency, Malaysia’s human rights commission and civil-society groups had been excluded. She said many detainees did not want to return and argued that sending them back could breach the principle against returning people to places where their lives or freedom are threatened.

The UNHCR said it was not involved and that the conflict in Myanmar prevented safe and sustainable returns. Other rights groups warned that returnees could face forced conscription, detention or torture. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended negotiating with Myanmar’s military leadership.

Myanmar’s foreign ministry described the operation as assistance for nationals detained for immigration offences, citing a similar naval transfer in 2021.