Malaysia Deports 1,500 Myanmar Nationals Despite Safety Fears

Malaysia Deports 1,500 Myanmar Nationals Despite Safety Fears

Malaysia has begun sending nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals back to their war-torn homeland as part of a government-to-government repatriation deal, despite warnings from human rights groups that returnees could face persecution and forced conscription.

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Malaysia began sending nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals back to their war-torn homeland on Tuesday [252929]. The first group of 1,476 people is the start of an agreement to return 5,000 detainees held in Malaysian immigration facilities [252929]. Kuala Lumpur describes the programme as voluntary [252929].

However, human rights groups warn the plan lacks adequate safeguards [252929]. They say returnees could face persecution and forced conscription [252929].

Myanmar has been in crisis since a military coup in 2021 [249729]. The country remains unstable under military rule [252795].

The repatriation is controversial [252795]. Human rights groups warn that returnees could face violence, persecution and forced conscription [252795].

A group of 166 civil society organizations has called on Malaysia to halt plans to send Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar [249729]. The groups said they have "grave concern" about the repatriation plan [249729]. They warned that the refugees could face violent persecution and forced conscription if they return [249729].

The Rohingya, a mostly Muslim minority, have faced decades of discrimination in Myanmar [249729]. Many fled to Malaysia and other countries to seek safety [249729].

Sources

Malaysia deports 1,500 Myanmar nationals despite safety fears #252929Malaysia deports 5,000 asylum seekers to Myanmar despite rights warnings #252795Malaysia urged to stop sending Rohingya back to Myanmar #249729

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