UNHCR warns Malaysia against Myanmar refugee repatriation
UN refugee agency says the armed conflict in Myanmar means there can be no safe and dignified voluntary return of refugees.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has cautioned Malaysia against repatriating Myanmar refugees, warning that returning to the war-torn nation remains unsafe. As of February, Malaysia was home to around 193,800 refugees from Myanmar, primarily of Rohingya and Chin ethnicities, according to UNHCR figures.
Last week, the Malaysian Home Ministry announced the completion of the first phase of a voluntary repatriation program, set to see 1,476 refugees return to Myanmar on September 29. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had earlier stated that Myanmar had agreed to accept 5,000 Rohingya refugees amidst growing tensions over the issue within local communities in Malaysia.
UNHCR emphasizes that the continued armed conflict and violence in Myanmar make any voluntary return of refugees impossible. Under international law, no one can be sent to a country where their rights or freedoms might be at risk. Any refugee return must be voluntary, informed, and conducted in safe and dignified conditions. The agency urges careful consideration of the protection needs of all individuals involved before their return to Myanmar, and expresses readiness to cooperate with relevant authorities on implementing protection safeguards.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
