Bangladesh to send Rohingya back to Myanmar

Myanmar has agreed to repatriate 300,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, alongside 5,000 currently living in Malaysia, following talks with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed on Wednesday.

Speaking at a local meeting in Chennah, Anwar described the deal as the result of careful diplomacy with Myanmar’s military-led government. “They have now agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya from Malaysia and 300,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh,” he said, stressing that negotiations had been crucial.

The announcement marks a significant shift. For years, calls to deport Rohingya refugees from Malaysia had stalled because Myanmar refused to accept them. “People say, ‘Send them back.’ But where do we send them? Previously, Myanmar did not want to receive them,” Anwar explained.

Malaysia hosts tens of thousands of Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar, often living in precarious conditions. Anwar made clear his government would not tolerate disorder, warning that police had been instructed to act against refugees disrupting public spaces. He also urged the Rohingya community to respect local laws and avoid inconveniencing Malaysians.

The deal comes amid wider regional concerns over refugee management and human rights. Myanmar’s military government has faced international criticism for its treatment of the Rohingya, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee violence in Rakhine State since 2017.

If implemented, the repatriation would be one of the largest returns of displaced Rohingya to Myanmar. Yet questions remain over safety guarantees and living conditions once they arrive. Human rights groups have long warned that without meaningful protections, repatriation risks exposing refugees to renewed persecution.

For now, Anwar is presenting the agreement as a diplomatic success, but its execution will be closely watched across the region.

-2026-07-31