Malaysia begins Myanmar repatriations despite safety warnings by UN and rights groups

MANJUNG, Malaysia -- Malaysia began repatriating Myanmar nationals under a voluntary program despite warnings from the United Nations refugee agency and rights groups that conditions in the country remain unsafe for them.The 1,476 people who began the trip Tuesday are among 5,000 Myanmar nationals who will be repatriated in stages from Malaysia, where 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held at immigration detention depots nationwide as of Aug. 15, according to Malaysia’s Home Ministry. A ministry official confirmed the repatriation was taking place Tuesday. Buses believed to be carrying Myanmar returnees arrived at a stadium in Manjung town in Malaysia’s central Perak state, where there was tight security. Ships believed to be from Myanmar were docked at the nearby Lumut naval base. Those in the first group agreed to return in a process that will be carried out safely using two Myanmar navy warships and a hospital ship, the ministry said. Details of their identities and circumstances were not immediately available.Myanmar is involved in an armed conflict and political instability following the military’s seizure of power in 2021. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees a...