Malaysia to repatriate nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals in September

Malaysia plans to carry out the first stage of a voluntary repatriation program for Myanmar nationals on September 29. As Euronews reports, 1,476 people identified by the authorities of that country through a diplomatic note are expected to return to Myanmar.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs said that two naval ships and a Myanmar hospital ship are planned to be used for transportation. In July, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that Myanmar had agreed to accept 5,000 members of the persecuted Rohingya minority.

Screening of detainees

As of mid-August, 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held in Malaysia’s immigration detention centres, and not all of them are considered refugees. The Immigration Department, together with the police, will verify their identity, citizenship, immigration status, asylum claims and security background by the end of the year.

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According to the ministry, 4,008 people will undergo a program for registered refugees, while another 5,000 will take part in voluntary repatriation in accordance with an agreement with Myanmar’s authorities. Malaysia is also negotiating with Myanmar to ensure that returns take place in an orderly and dignified manner.

Human rights advocates’ concerns

More than 215,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered in Malaysia, including over 126,000 Rohingya from Myanmar. More than 95% of refugees in the country come from Myanmar, including members of the Rohingya, Chin, Karen and Mon communities.

Malaysia’s largest Rohingya human rights group called on the authorities to halt the plan, saying that refugees’ lives could be in danger if they return. The repatriation plan was announced after Malaysian authorities detained more than 100 Rohingya near the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Kuala Lumpur. They were later released after valid UN documents were confirmed.