UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Wednesday said greater regional and international support is needed to advance a political solution to the crisis and end the hostilities in Myanmar.

The UNHCR called on the international community to maintain support for countries in the region hosting refugees from Myanmar.

“Until conditions in Myanmar allow for safe, dignified and sustainable returns, States must continue to provide access to asylum and uphold international protection obligations,” said the UN agency, noting that the UNHCR is “concerned” by Malaysia’s recent return of 1,476 people to Myanmar amid the country’s continuing conflict and dire human rights and humanitarian situation.

“We are concerned by these returns at a time when people sent back to Myanmar may face serious risks, and some within the group may be in need of international protection,” said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Edem Wosornu on Wednesday.

“While authorities say the returns are voluntary, those returned had been held in immigration detention. This raises serious questions about whether decisions to return were genuinely free and informed. UNHCR did not have access to the individuals to assess this.”

UNHCR fully recognised Malaysia’s sovereign responsibility to manage asylum and migration. However, UNHCR urged Malaysia to ensure that all returns are subject to robust safeguards, including individual assessments and access to protection procedures.

The UN agency said decisions to return must be voluntary and assessed outside detention settings.

Under the principle of non-refoulement, no one should be returned to a country where they may face persecution, torture or other serious threats to their life or freedom.

UNHCR said it remains ready to work with Malaysia to strengthen national asylum and protection arrangements.