Malaysia begins screening 5,000 refugees for their planned return to Myanmar

Malaysia has begun screening and documenting up to 5,000 detained Myanmar nationals for repatriation to Myanmar, according to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution. This program, agreed upon with Myanmar, aims to return Myanmar citizens currently in Malaysia and an unspecified number from Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. While Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated the repatriated individuals were Rohingya refugees, Saifuddin clarified that only Myanmar nationals with refugee status are being repatriated. Myanmar officials, however, have denied reports of accepting Rohingyas, stating the program is for verified Myanmar nationals detained in Malaysia. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as an ethnic group. This repatriation follows similar operations in 2021 and 2022.

Malaysia has announced a deal with Myanmar to repatriate 5,000 Rohingya refugees, a move that has sparked alarm among rights groups. While the agreement could alleviate pressure on Malaysia's refugee system, activists fear the Rohingya could face persecution upon return to Myanmar, where the military is engaged in ongoing conflicts and most Rohingya lack citizenship. Rights organizations emphasize that any return must be voluntary and include guarantees of safety, legal status, and freedom of movement. This proposed repatriation, though a small fraction of the registered Rohingya population in Malaysia, represents a significant effort to return refugees from a persecuted minority to their homeland.