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UNHCR Says It Is Not Involved in Malaysia’s Planned Repatriation of Refugees to Myanmar

Rights groups say that the 1,476 Myanmar nationals are at high risk of torture, mistreatment, and forced conscription on their return.

The United Nations refugee agency says that it is not involved in Malaysia’s planned repatriation of Myanmar refugees, telling Reuters news agency that the conditions in the country were not in place for their safe return.

Last week, the country’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced that it would repatriate 1,476 Myanmar nationals on September 29 aboard two Myanmar Navy warships and a hospital ship. The plan is the first phase of a voluntary repatriation program that will involve around 5,000 refugees, around half of the 10,388 Myanmar nationals currently being held at immigration detention depots.

The U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) told Reuters on Tuesday that it was not involved in the scheduled repatriation, and that ongoing conflict and repression made it difficult to guarantee their safe return.

“Under customary international law – a binding obligation on all states – no one should be sent ​to a country where their rights or freedoms may be ​at risk,” UNHCR told the news agency. “Any refugee return must be voluntary, based on an informed decision, ‌and ⁠take place in conditions of safety and dignity.”

“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,” it added.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni announced in July that around 5,000 Myanmar nationals currently in the immigration detention system would be repatriated as soon as Myanmar is ready to accept them – a fact that was later confirmed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, in response to growing concerns, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said last month that Malaysia would not return them “if they would ​either be persecuted or their lives would be........

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