This research focuses on how Rohingya families and communities have been impacted in the immediate and longer-term by Malaysia’s harsh and indefinite immigration detention policies. It also provides strategic and relevant recommendations for increasing access to protection and services for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, not least the need for Alternatives To Detention (ATD) and a refugee-survivor-centred approach in policies and responses at both national and regional levels, in line with international protection and human rights standards.

This report has been produced under the Protecting Rohingya Refugees in Asia (PRRiA) project, a two-year ECHO-funded initiative launched in 2021 to address protection risks and needs of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia. Access other publications under the PRRiA project here:

Refugee protection, human smuggling, and trafficking in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia

Rohingya refugees in Thailand

Profiles and drivers of Rohingya moving to Malaysia

Protection risks for Rohingya women and children

Journeys to Indonesia for Rohingya refugees

Protection risks of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia

Rohingya refugees in Indonesia: a focus on smuggling, information, and financing