Malaysia begins sending back Myanmar nationals despite UN warnings

Summarised from 4 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 2 Oct, 15:08 · Archive

Malaysia has started repatriating about 1,500 Myanmar nationals, with plans to send 5,000 total, despite UN and rights group warnings.

Malaysia has started repatriating Myanmar nationals from detention centres, confirming that about 1,500 have departed as the first phase of a larger repatriation programme. The government plans to send a total of 5,000 Myanmar citizens back to the country. Malaysian authorities describe the process as strictly voluntary, saying those repatriated have agreed to return.

However, the UN and international rights groups have raised safety concerns about sending people back to Myanmar, described as war-torn. The repatriations come amid a significant rise in anti-migrant sentiment in Malaysia. The country currently hosts some 126,000 Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers, a Muslim minority that had previously been welcomed there as persecuted people.

The move represents a shift in Malaysia's approach to Myanmar migrants, as the country now seeks to reduce its Myanmar population despite the humanitarian challenges in Myanmar and the risks of return for vulnerable groups.

How it is being reported

• Why is Malaysia sending back Rohingya refugees to Myanmar?Kuala Lumpur calls it a voluntary process, but many are raising safety concerns.Al Jazeera · 30 Sept, 18:55
• Malaysia begins Myanmar repatriations despite warnings from UN and rights groupsKuala Lumpur plans to send a total of 5,000 Myanmar nationals back to the war-torn country despite persecution concerns Malaysia began sending back about 1,500 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday, the government confirmed, as it launched a scheme that rights groups say may endanger migrants and asylum seekers by returning them to the war-torn country. The group is the first of 5,000 Myanmar citizens that Kuala Lumpur says agreed to “voluntary” repatriation from detention centres amid a huge uptick in anti-migrant sentiment in Malaysia. Continue reading...Guardian World · 30 Sept, 07:05
• Malaysia to return thousands to Myanmar, prompting U.N. concernsThe move sparked criticism given the large Myanmar population in Malaysia, including 126,000 Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers.The Japan Times · 30 Sept, 02:36
• Malaysia sends Rohingya back Myanmar despite safety warningsMalaysia sends Rohingya back Myanmar despite safety warningsAl Jazeera · 29 Sept, 13:08
• Malaysia gave refuge to Rohingya; now it wants them to goMalaysia welcomed persecuted Muslim minority but now plans to send them back to Myanmar amid rising hate against them.Al Jazeera · 29 Sept, 12:22
• Malaysia repatriates Myanmar migrants despite UN warningsMalaysia has started repatriating about 1,500 Myanmar nationals, defying warnings from the UN and rights groups. Malaysia, facing an uptick in anti-migrant sentiment, says the program is strictly voluntary.DW News · 29 Sept, 11:26
• Malaysia begins sending back Rohingya refugees despite safety warningsAbout 1,500 refugees are to be sent back in the first phase, despite criticism from rights groups.Al Jazeera · 29 Sept, 10:27

In this story: Malaysia · Myanmar · Rohingya · United Nations

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