No role in repatriation of Myanmar refugees, UNHCR states; 3 children among 8 killed in Chin State

The front entrance to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on an unknown date. (Credit: FMT)

No role in repatriation of Myanmar refugees, UNHCR states

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.N.’s refugee agency, stated on Tuesday that it was not involved in the Malaysian government’s planned repatriation of refugees from Burma, ​and warned that it remains unsafe for them to return to ‌their country since a 2021 military coup turned into a nationwide armed uprising.

Malaysia’s Home Ministry said that it had finalised the first phase of a voluntary repatriation programme that will see 1,476 refugees returned ​to Burma on Sept. 29. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had ​earlier said that Burma had agreed to repatriate 5,000 Rohingya, amid rising tensions ⁠over the refugees within local communities in Malaysia.

The UNHCR stated that there could ​not be a safe, dignified and sustainable voluntary return of refugees to Burma. “UNHCR urges that careful consideration be given to the protection needs of all those concerned before they ​are returned to ​Myanmar, and ⁠stands ready to engage with relevant authorities on protection safeguards.”