Fortify Rights calls on Malaysia to halt forced returns of Myanmar refugees

Rohingya refugees inside a truck as they are taken by police, in front of the office of the U.N. Refugee Agency, after being evicted from their homes, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 27, 2026. (Credit: Reuters)

Fortify Rights called on Malaysia to halt its plans to forcibly repatriate around 1,500 Myanmar nationals on Sept. 29 out of an original government announcement to send back 5,000 refugees to Myanmar over the coming months.

“Malaysia government should instead formally recognize their refugee status and guarantee refugees’ lawful stay and basic rights in the country,” Yap Lay Sheng, Fortify Rights’ Senior Human Rights Specialist, stated in a press release on Sept. 2.

Malaysian media reported on Sept. 16 that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will officially invite Myanmar regime leader Min Aung Hlaing to Kuala Lumpur to negotiate a refugee repatriation deal.

“The government’s cavalier disregard for refugee lives is unacceptabl

e and a violation of its international obligations,” added Yap Lay Sheng.