Sent back to war zone? 1,500 migrants arrive in Myanmar from Malaysia despite UN safety warning

Myanmar nationals who were sent back from Malaysia look from a bus as they leave a Myanmar Navy base. (AP Photo) Nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals repatriated from Malaysia arrived in the country’s largest city, Yangon, on Sunday, despite warnings from the United Nations refugee agency and rights groups that conditions for their return remain unsafe.The returnees, including 86 women, had been convicted of illegal stay and other immigration violations in Malaysia, according to Myanmar state media reports.They were transported from Malaysia aboard two navy warships and a hospital ship last Tuesday and arrived in southern Yangon early Sunday, regional government minister Nay Lin Tun said.The group is part of around 5,000 Myanmar nationals who are expected to be repatriated from Malaysia in stages. Malaysia’s home ministry said another 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held at immigration detention centres.UN, rights groups raise concernsThe repatriation has drawn criticism from the UN high commissioner for refugees and rights groups, who have warned that Myanmar’s security and humanitarian situation remains volatile.They have raised concerns that some returnees could face persecution o...