Myanmar ships with returnees from Malaysia enter home waters, state media says

Nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals sent back from Malaysia aboard navy ships are expected to reach Yangon within days, state media reported on Friday, despite warnings from the United Nations and rights groups that returnees could be at risk in the midst of Myanmar's civil war.

Three Myanmar navy vessels carrying 1,476 Myanmar nationals entered Myanmar waters on Thursday, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

The returnees had been held in Malaysian immigration detention camps after serving sentences for illegal stays and violations of immigration regulations.

The United Nations has said conditions in Myanmar “do not support the safe and sustainable return of refugees”, although Malaysia insists the repatriation process is strictly voluntary.

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Kelley E. Currie said on Thursday that she was “gravely concerned” and urged Malaysia to halt the repatriations and work with the UN to address the situation facing Myanmar refugees.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since a 2021 military coup ousted an elected civilian government, triggering a civil war in the impoverished Southeast Asian country.

Repatriation arrangements

Naval personnel and Myanmar authorities provided the returnees with medical care, meals and clothing during the voyage, state media reported.

Family members and local authorities are expected to meet the returnees at the port in Yangon and arrange transport to their hometowns, with further assistance planned to help them resettle, state media said.

The state-run newspaper also featured interviews with three unnamed returnees. Two said they had been held in Malaysian immigration detention before being sent back.

It was not immediately clear whether any members of Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya minority were among the returnees.

The group is the first to be sent back under a repatriation plan involving up to 5,000 people, according to Malaysia.

Rohingya concerns

Malaysia has stepped up immigration enforcement in recent years as local hostility towards refugees has increased, particularly towards the Rohingya.

Many Rohingya fled Myanmar following a 2017 military crackdown that is being investigated as genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Myanmar junta chief-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing is also due to visit Malaysia this month, Malaysian state media reported, as the two countries continue discussions on returning refugees and people displaced by the conflict.