Myanmar says nearly 1,500 citizens repatriated from Malaysia

Myanmar on Monday confirmed that nearly 1,500 of its nationals who completed sentences for unlawful residency and other immigration offenses were repatriated from Malaysia.

Three Burmese vessels, including a hospital ship, docked in Yangon on Sunday morning, “completing a smooth and successful repatriation to the motherland,” the Information Ministry said.

Officials from the military, locally known as Tatmadaw, and the relevant ministries coordinated to repatriate 1,476 citizens.

Burmese Navy vessels UMS Mottama, sea-going hospital ship UMS Thanlwin, and UMS Sinphyushin had departed Yangon on Sept. 24 for repatriation, arriving at Lumut Port in Malaysia on Sept. 28.

The next day, Malaysia began repatriating 1,476 nationals, part of a larger group of some 5,000 nationals.

The first group comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys, and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.

“Necessary arrangements are continuing to facilitate their swift reunion with relatives and family members, ensuring their safe return to their respective hometowns,” the ministry said.

Burmese authorities have also repatriated 1,905 citizens from Cambodia since January.

Malaysia's repatriation decision has raised concerns with the UN and other groups.

UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh told journalists in Geneva last week that the agency was “concerned by the reported imminent return of some 1,500 individuals ... with ongoing armed conflict and widespread violence and human rights violations across Myanmar.”

"Under international law, no one should be sent to a country where they may face persecution, torture, serious harm, or other threats to life, liberty, and security," he said.

Saltmarsh added that the UNHCR remains committed to engaging with the Malaysian government through technical support, policy dialogue and capacity building to develop accessible and effective protection measures.