Malaysia’s ‘shocking’ deal to return 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar triggers refoulement fears

Malaysia’s ‘shocking’ deal to return 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar triggers refoulement fearsRights groups warn returnees to Myanmar could face forced conscription, arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour4-MIN READ4-MIN0ListenPublished: 5:00pm, 30 Jul 2026Updated: 5:05pm, 30 Jul 2026Malaysia’s claim that Myanmar has agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya has raised hopes of easing pressure on the country’s strained refugee system but also drawn alarm from activists over the risks of returning members of the persecuted minority to a place still engulfed by conflict.Rights groups say any movement of refugees into Myanmar – where the military is fighting multiple conflicts and most Rohingya remain denied citizenship – will need to be voluntary and backed by guarantees of safety, legal status and freedom of movement.The announcement covers only a fraction of the 126,144 Rohingya registered with the United Nations refugee agency in Malaysia, but experts say it will mark a rare attempt to return refugees from a persecuted minority to their country of origin.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x