Malaysia’s ‘shocking’ deal to return 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar triggers refoulement fears

Rights groups warn returnees to Myanmar could face forced conscription, arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour

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Rohingya refugees sit inside a truck as they are taken by police, in front of the office of the UN Refugee Agency, after being evicted from their homes, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Rohingya refugees gather in front of the office of the UN refugee agency after being evicted from their homes, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:00pm, 30 Jul 2026Updated: 8:46pm, 30 Jul 2026

Malaysia’s claim that Myanmar has agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya has raised hopes of easing pressure on its strained refugee system, but has also alarmed activists over the risks of returning members of the persecuted minority group to a country still engulfed by conflict.

Rights groups insist any movement of refugees into Myanmar – where the military is fighting multiple conflicts and most Rohingya are denied citizenship – must be voluntary and backed by guarantees of safety, legal status and freedom of movement.

Wednesday’s announcement covers only a fraction of the 126,144 Rohingya registered with the United Nations refugee agency in Malaysia, but experts say it would mark a rare attempt to return refugees from a persecuted minority to their country of origin.

As of the end of February, Malaysia had 215,600 registered refugees and asylum seekers, nearly 194,000 of whom were from Myanmar – including Rohingya.

Rohingya refugees inside a truck as they are taken by police, in front of the office of the UN Refugee Agency, after being evicted from their homes, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the agreement at a campaign event in Negeri Sembilan on Wednesday, presenting it as a product of bilateral ties.

“People ask why we do not simply send them back. Send them where? Myanmar had refused to accept them before,” Anwar was quoted as saying by local media.

Malaysia’s ‘shocking’ deal to return 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar triggers refoulement fears

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Rights groups warn returnees to Myanmar could face forced conscription, arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour

Rights groups warn returnees to Myanmar could face forced conscription, arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour