The UN refugee agency stated it is not involved in Malaysia's planned repatriation of Myanmar refugees, warning that ongoing conflict makes return unsafe and urging careful consideration of protection needs.
The UNHCR's statement challenges Malaysia's planned repatriation, raising concerns about the safety and voluntary nature of the process for refugees fleeing conflict and persecution in Myanmar.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has stated it is not involved in Malaysia's plan to repatriate refugees from Myanmar, warning that the ongoing conflict and violence in the war-torn country make any return unsafe, undignified, and unsustainable.
Malaysia's Home Ministry announced last week that the first phase of a voluntary repatriation program, involving 1,476 refugees, is finalized and scheduled for September 29. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously indicated that Myanmar had agreed to repatriate 5,000 Rohingya refugees, amid rising tensions within Malaysia over the refugee population.
UNHCR emphasized that under customary international law, individuals should not be sent to countries where their rights or freedoms may be at risk. The agency urged that careful consideration be given to the protection needs of all concerned refugees before they are returned to Myanmar, and expressed readiness to engage with authorities on protection safeguards.
A spokesperson for Malaysia's Home Ministry declined to comment on UNHCR's statement, reiterating previous remarks that the repatriation process is voluntary. As of February, Malaysia hosted approximately 193,800 refugees from Myanmar, including Rohingya and Chin ethnic groups, though activists suggest many more remain unregistered.