Malaysia Plans to Return 5,000 Rohingya to their Persecutors

Malaysia Plans to Return 5,000 Rohingya to their Persecutors

Washington, DC - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently indicated his government's decision to repatriate approximately 5,000 Rohingya refugees to Burma after Burma's ruling military junta, the Tatmadaw, had agreed to accept them. Later the Prime Minister noted they could not return Rohingya if they would be persecuted or their lives threatened. Although repatriation is considered a positive step for refugees if it is safe to return, the Prime Minister should know that sending civilians into an active war zone puts them at grave risk. This is particularly true for those belonging to groups that the receiving government has targeted with war crimes and acts of genocide, such as predominantly Muslim Rohingya.

"Violence and human rights abuses in Burma continue to escalate for minority religions and civilians, and forcing Rohingya survivors to return would put their lives at extraordinary risk by exposing them to armed conflict, forced conscription, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis," said Vice Chair CeCe Heil. "The Tatmadaw's sustained airstrikes and persistent violations of international humanitarian laws continue to result in extensive civilian casualties and the large-scale displacement of vulnerable religious minorities."

Malaysia's announcement came at a time when Rohingya residing in Malaysia are facing escalating challenges. A surge in online threats recently forced at least nine schools serving Rohingya children to close, while police detained more than 100 Rohingya asylum seekers who had gathered at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur after hostile residents in Penang state drove them out of their temporary homes. Although around 126,000 Rohingya are registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia, that country does not formally recognize Rohingya as refugees and it is neither a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol.

"The U.S. government has supported the needs of Rohingya fleeing persecution through the World Food Program; now is the time for the State Department to re-double the message directly with Malaysia that its help for these desperate families is both vital and appreciated," said Commissioner Gunisha Kaur. "Pushing Rohingya into the hands of their persecutors would contribute to perpetuating ten years of atrocities that have impacted many of Burma's vulnerable religious groups."

In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State continue to designate Burma as a "Country of Particular Concern," or CPC, for engaging in systematic, egregious, and ongoing violations of religious freedom. USCIRF also recommended Malaysia's inclusion on the State Department's Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].