Kathmandu— Malaysia has finalized plans to begin repatriating at least 1,500 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar on September 29th, as part of an agreement with the military-backed government in Naypyidaw. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the program in July, aiming to address rising tensions within Malaysia while offering a pathway home for some members of the persecuted minority group. The repatriation will utilize Myanmar naval vessels and a hospital ship, with over 4,000 additional individuals slated for refugee documentation and another 5,000 considered for voluntary return.

Refugee Population and Repatriation Plan

As of mid-August, Malaysia held 10,388 Myanmar nationals in immigration detention depots, not all of whom are formally recognized as refugees. The government intends to verify the identity, citizenship, and security background of these detainees by year's end. This first phase of repatriation is described as voluntary, targeting those who express a willingness to return to Myanmar. Officials have stated that Malaysia will channel more than 4,000 individuals into the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) program alongside the planned repatriations.

Government Assurances and Rights Group Concerns

The Malaysian government has publicly committed to halting repatriation if conditions in Myanmar pose a threat to the safety of returning refugees. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated earlier this month that “Malaysia, as a responsible country, will not return the 5,000 Myanmar refugees if they would either be persecuted or their lives would be threatened.” However, Human Rights Watch has cautioned that safe and dignified conditions for return do not currently exist in Myanmar, citing ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the military.

Rohingya Status and Regional Context

Malaysia hosts one of Southeast Asia’s largest refugee populations, with over 215,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), including more than 126,000 Rohingya. Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Malaysia has historically provided refuge to those fleeing persecution. The planned repatriation coincides with the ninth anniversary of the mass displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar’s Rakhine state in August 2015, which saw over one million people flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group largely unrecognized as citizens by the government of Myanmar, rendering them effectively stateless.

The repatriation process is scheduled to begin on September 29th with the arrival of two Myanmar naval warships and a hospital ship. Malaysian authorities will continue verifying the status of detainees throughout the remainder of the year.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.