Myanmar vows 'safe' returns ahead of Malaysia repatriations

YANGON, Sep 3: Myanmar pledged on Thursday "safe and dignified" returns for its citizens displaced abroad, after the United Nations and rights groups raised concerns about the upcoming repatriation of 1,500 people from Malaysia.

The Myanmar foreign ministry also repeated its disavowal of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, members of which campaigners fear may be plunged back into danger by the return scheme.

In July, Malaysia said Myanmar had agreed to take back 5,000 members of the Rohingya, a group which has faced a campaign of violent discrimination in Myanmar since 2017.

Both countries say a first wave of nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals will be repatriated voluntarily in late September, although it is unclear how many Rohingya will be included. "Myanmar is committed to working closely with Bangladesh and friendly countries to facilitate the voluntary return of verified displaced persons in a safe and dignified manner," the foreign ministry statement said. �"AFP