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.

As of February, Malaysia had around 193,800 refugees from Myanmar of various ethnicities including Rohingya and Chin, according to UNHCR data.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is not involved in Malaysia’s planned repatriation of Myanmar refugees, and warns that it remains unsafe for them to return to the war-torn country.

Last week, the home ministry said it had finalised the first phase of a voluntary repatriation programme that would see 1,476 refugees return to Myanmar on Sept 29.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier said Myanmar had agreed to receive 5,000 Rohingya, amid rising tensions over the refugees within local communities in Malaysia.

UNHCR said the ongoing armed conflict and violence across Myanmar meant there could be no safe, dignified and sustainable voluntary return of refugees.

“Under customary international law – a binding obligation on all states – no one should be sent to a country where their rights or freedoms may be at risk. Any refugee return must be voluntary and based on an informed decision, and take place in conditions of safety and dignity.

“UNHCR calls for careful consideration to be given to the protection needs of all those concerned before they are returned to Myanmar, and stands ready to engage with the relevant authorities on protection safeguards,” it said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

A home ministry spokesman declined to comment on the UNHCR statement, referring to its earlier remarks that the repatriation process was voluntary.

Thousands of refugees have fled Myanmar since a 2021 military coup that sparked a nationwide civil war.

As of February, Malaysia had around 193,800 refugees from Myanmar of various ethnicities including Rohingya and Chin, according to UNHCR data. Activists say many more remain unregistered. - FMT