Malaysia Begins First Phase of Myanmar Repatriation

Malaysia began processing the first group of Myanmar nationals for repatriation on Tuesday in Manjung, Perak, near the Lumut naval base. Dozens of buses arrived at a stadium under police escort as the group awaited transfer by ship. The Home Ministry has said 1,476 people are scheduled for this phase, part of a plan involving 5,000 Myanmar nationals. Authorities have not disclosed how many of those being returned are Rohingya. The ministry describes the programme as voluntary, while Human Rights Watch has warned that returning refugees to Myanmar could put them at risk and has questioned whether consent can be assured.