Malaysia begins repatriating Myanmar migrants

LUMUT (AFP) — Malaysia began sending about 1,500 Myanmar nationals home Tuesday, the first group under a repatriation program that rights groups warn could put migrants at risk.

The group is part of 5,000 Myanmar citizens who Malaysian authorities say agreed to voluntary repatriation from immigration detention centers.

Dozens of buses carrying migrants arrived under police escort at a stadium near the Lumut naval base, where they were being processed before traveling to Myanmar by ship.

Rights groups have questioned whether the returns are truly voluntary, citing conditions in detention centers and the continuing conflict in Myanmar.

Neither Malaysia nor Myanmar has disclosed how many Rohingya are among the group. Rights groups have raised particular concerns about returning members of the persecuted Muslim minority to Myanmar.

Myanmar has pledged “safe and dignified” returns for citizens displaced abroad, but more than 160 civil society groups last week called on Malaysia to halt the deportations.

Malaysia held 10,388 Myanmar nationals in immigration detention as of mid-August, according to its Home Affairs Ministry.