Malaysia mula hantar pulang pelarian Myanmar

Malaysia has commenced the repatriation of approximately 1,500 Myanmar refugees, marking the initial phase of a program that has sparked concerns among human rights activists. These individuals form the first group of 5,000 Myanmar nationals who have agreed to return voluntarily from a detention center. AFP reporters observed dozens of buses arriving at the Stadium Majlis Perbandaran Manjung bordering Lumut Naval Base, accompanied by police.

However, journalists were denied entry to the specified area. The Myanmar nationals are expected to undergo documentation before being transported to the naval base and subsequently sent back to Myanmar via ship. As of now, it remains unclear how many of them are Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted ethnic minority that constitutes two-thirds of the estimated 190,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.

In July, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Myanmar had agreed to accept 5,000 refugees as part of an unusual repatriation effort, raising concerns about human rights. This plan followed the detention of over 100 refugees gathered outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur seeking assistance after facing deportation from an unauthorized settlement in Pinang.

They were released after officials confirmed each had a valid UNHCR document. Earlier this month, Myanmar assured its citizens abroad that they would be returned "safely and honorably," prompting criticism from the UN and human rights groups. Anwar also stated he would invite Myanmar's de facto president, Min Aung Hlaing, to make a formal visit to help expedite the repatriation process.

Malaysia, home to one of the largest refugee populations in Southeast Asia, is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not officially recognize refugee status. AFP previously found that Myanmar refugees in Malaysia have become targets of misinformation campaigns on social media, fueling xenophobia and intimidation against the community. Many Rohingya have fled Myanmar following military crackdowns in 2017.