Chin Deportees From Malaysia Stranded in Yangon Await Travel Home
Dozens of ethnic Chin deportees repatriated from Malaysia aboard Myanmar junta navy warships remain stranded in Yangon, unable to return to their conflict-affected hometowns due to travel hurdles and financial constraints, according to local relief workers.
The group of 173 Chin nationals—originating from Chin State as well as the Magway and Sagaing regions—arrived at Yangon’s Thilawa Port on Oct. 4. They were part of a larger batch of 1,476 Myanmar detainees handed over by Malaysian authorities on Sept. 29.
Deportees with relatives in Yangon were let go after health checks and questioning.
However, those without local ties must rely on ethnic charities for shelter and help reaching home.
“Those who had no one to pick them up are being temporarily cared for by ethnic social organizations, which are helping them contact their families,” a member of a Chin aid group in Yangon said, adding that most deportees come from remote townships including Kanpetlet, Mindat, Matupi, Hakha, and Tedim. “Since their hometowns are far from Yangon, families cannot pick them up right away.”
Humanitarian groups are continuing to log the deportees' origins to coordinate safe transit home, though ongoing conflict and checkpoint disruptions across central and western Myanmar present severe travel risks.
The deportation has drawn intense international criticism.
The United Nations and global human rights monitors have repeatedly urged Malaysia to halt all forced returns to Myanmar, warning that deportees face arbitrary detention, forced conscription, and violence upon return.
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