UNHCR says it has no role in Malaysia’s planned repatriation of Myanmar refugees, warns country is still unsafe

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, has stated it has no involvement in Malaysia's planned repatriation of Myanmar refugees and expressed concerns over the safety of their return. Malaysia's Home Ministry confirmed the first phase of a voluntary repatriation program, set to conclude on September 29, with 1,476 refugees returning to Myanmar. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously announced that Myanmar had consented to repatriate 5,000 Rohingya refugees amid growing tensions among local communities in Malaysia.

The UNHCR emphasized that the ongoing armed conflict and violence in Myanmar make it impossible for refugees to return in a safe, dignified, and sustainable manner. According to customary international law, no one should be sent back to a country where their rights or freedoms could be at risk. The UNHCR urged careful consideration of the protection needs of all concerned before returning them to Myanmar and offered to work with relevant authorities to ensure proper protection safeguards.

Malaysia has been hosting thousands of Myanmar refugees since a military coup in 2021 that triggered a nationwide civil war. As of February, the country was home to around 193,800 refugees from Myanmar, comprising various ethnicities such as Rohingya and Chin, according to UNHCR data. However, activists claim that many more refugees remain unregistered.