Malaysian civil society groups urge halt to return of 1,476 Myanmar nationals

By Admin 05 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom                                       
5 September 2026, Yangon

A coalition of civil society organizations has urged the Malaysian government to immediately suspend the planned return of 1,476 Myanmar nationals later this month, warning that ongoing armed conflict and human rights violations make Myanmar unsafe for their return.

The Malaysia National Organising Committee (MNOC) for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) made the call in a statement on September 4, endorsed by 70 civil society organizations and networks.

According to the statement, Malaysia plans to return 1,476 Myanmar nationals on September 29 as the first phase of a broader programme involving 5,000 people who would be returned in stages under an arrangement with Myanmar’s military authorities.

The first group was reportedly identified by the Myanmar junta and is expected to be transported aboard two Myanmar Navy warships and a hospital ship, the statement said.

“Myanmar is not a safe environment for forced or premature returns,” the groups said, expressing concern that returning people amid continuing conflict and serious rights violations could expose vulnerable individuals to further harm.

The statement cited ACLED data indicating that more than 30 armed clashes and attacks on civilians occur across Myanmar each day, as well as findings by the UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar concerning allegations of serious violations.

It also raised concerns about the risk of military conscription for returnees aged between 18 and 35, citing a July 29 order by Myanmar’s military authorities concerning the recruitment of Muslim (Rohingya) residents in and around Sittwe in Arakan State.

The coalition said repatriation should not be treated merely as an immigration or administrative matter, arguing that the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of individuals must be central to any decision on return.

The groups called on Malaysia to suspend the September 29 repatriation until independent and transparent assessments establish that conditions are genuinely safe, and to reconsider the wider plan to return 5,000 Myanmar nationals until safe and dignified returns can be guaranteed.

They also urged ASEAN to ensure independent monitoring of the identification, screening and return process and to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to places where they face serious risks of persecution or other irreparable harm.

The United Nations, particularly the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), was also urged to intervene in the planned repatriation and provide protection for migrants and refugees from Myanmar.

Among the 70 organizations and networks endorsing the statement are the Arakan Youth Peace Network, Equality Myanmar, Women’s League of Burma, Karen Human Rights Group, Kachin Women’s Association Thailand, Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma and Rohingya Rights Response.