Refugees deported to their homeland despite fears n

Malaysia has begun the process of deporting some 1,500 Myanmar nationals as part of a repatriation programme. Reuters reports.

This is the first phase of a larger plan agreed with Myanmar. It can provide for the return of up to 5,000 people. Malaysia states that the programme is voluntary.

The UN and human rights groups have expressed concern for the safety of returnees as the civil war continues in Myanmar. According to the United Nations, there are about 193,000 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia, two-thirds of them Rohingya.

It is unclear whether the Rohingya are among those deported. Representatives from the Chin community said there were asylum seekers among those returning. Returnees could face forced military service or detention, they said.

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