Ro Maung Shwe | March 2026
Around 70 Rohingya refugees who were reportedly arrested after entering Malaysia on March 15, 2026 remain without official information regarding their whereabouts, causing growing concern among families in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar.
Relatives say there has been no confirmation from authorities, no detention list, and no media reporting about the incident since the arrests. The lack of information has left families uncertain about the condition and location of their loved ones.
According to family members, the group had left the camps in Cox’s Bazar due to ongoing humanitarian challenges, including limited access to education, lack of livelihood opportunities, and restrictions on movement. Many Rohingya refugees continue to attempt dangerous journeys abroad, saying they see no future in the camps.
Families say their concerns are heightened by past experiences, where Rohingya detained in Malaysia were reportedly held for long periods without trial, legal support, or contact with relatives.
Fayas, a Rohingya refugee in Cox’s Bazar, said his 15 year old son, Humayan Kobir, was among those arrested.
“My son left our shelter without informing us. There is no proper education here and no way to earn a living. I struggle to support my family,” he said. “I heard that many Rohingya in Malaysia were detained for 10 or even 20 years without information. I am very afraid. I do not know where my son is or what condition he is in.”
He called on the Malaysian government and humanitarian organizations, including UNHCR, to help secure the release of those detained.
Another Rohingya mother shared her earlier experience of losing contact with her son after he was arrested in Malaysia.
“My son was arrested in 2016. It has been 11 years and we still have no information about him. We do not know if he is alive or dead,” she said. “Now when I hear that nearly 70 Rohingya have been arrested again, I feel the same fear. We do not want other families to suffer like us.”
Community members said the group arrested on March 15 had recently arrived in Malaysia after leaving Myanmar and the refugee camps in Bangladesh. However, since their detention, no official details have been released about their status.
Human rights organizations have previously reported that migrants and refugees, including Rohingya, are often held in Malaysian immigration detention centers for extended or indefinite periods, sometimes without access to legal processes or regular communication with families.
Community leaders and families are urging the Malaysian government, UNHCR, and international humanitarian agencies to urgently clarify the situation, confirm the identities of those detained, and ensure that refugees, especially minors, are not held without due process.
Families say that without transparency and humanitarian intervention, the fear of disappearance in detention will continue to deepen the suffering and uncertainty faced by Rohingya refugees.
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