Jurist UN refugee agency urges aid for Rohingyas stranded at sea

[Dadparvar]

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Tuesday urged countries in Andaman Sea region to step up for helping rescue Rohingya Muslims stranded at sea. In contrast, the UNHCR welcomed Indonesian fishermen’s–in concert with local authorities’–actions which saved 58 people Sunday and 174 people Monday. UNHCR Representative to Indonesia, Ann Maymann, thanked the local communities and authorities.

Among the 174 refugees who found their way to Indonesian shore, some informed authorities that 26 people died on the way. The UNHCR also received a multitude of reports about deaths of those who took up perilous sea voyages in Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal region. The credibility of most of these sources is still unconfirmed. That said, the UNHCR described the situation as quite alarming given that 200 people have reportedly died. Moreover, as per unverified reports, a boat with around 180 people is still unaccounted for, with all onboard presumably dead.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR is attending to the needs of the refugees, many of whom urgently require medical assistance. The UNHCR asked other nations in Andaman Sea region to follow in Indonesia’s footsteps:

Indonesia has helped to save 472 people in the past six weeks from four boats, showing its commitment and respect of basic humanitarian principles for people who face persecution and conflict. UNHCR urges other States to follow this example. Many others did not act despite numerous pleas and appeals for help. States in the region must fulfill their legal obligations by saving people on boats in distress to avoid further misery and deaths.

Rohingya Muslims form the long-oppressed minority group in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. They have fled to neighboring countries, like Thailand and Bangladesh, to escape state-sponsored persecution for the past several years. The period between November and April is most conducive for them to sail to Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The seas are relatively calmer during this time. However, there are enough reports documenting their sufferings, even while at sea away from persecuting state.

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