UREGENT STATEMENT: Malaysia Must Stop the Planned Deportation of Myanmar Nationals

The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) joins the Malaysian Advisory Group on Myanmar, UNHCR, and others, raising the alarm about the recent deportations of hundreds of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia to Myanmar. APRRN strongly urges the Government of Malaysia to immediately halt any deportation to Myanmar for those who may be at risk of harm and facilitate UNHCR access to all detainees scheduled for deportation to allow a proper assessment of risk on return on Myanmar. Hafsar Tameesuddin, Chair of APRRN, and a former Rohingya refugee previously resident in Malaysia, stated: “It is utterly disappointing to see that the Malaysian government has failed again to uphold the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees from Myanmar; forcing them to return to a country they had escaped with the fear of persecution is unacceptable and unjust. We urge the Government of Malaysia to uphold the human rights of all asylum seekers and refugees.”