In Three Days, 592 Rohingya Immigrants Landed in Aceh

Local governments can only help immigrants during times of emergency. Comprehensive handling requires international cooperation.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Dalam Tiga Hari, 592 Imigran Rohingya Mendarat di Aceh

DOK PANGLIMA LAOT ACEH

Hundreds of Rohingya immigrants landed on the beach of Aron Village, Muara Batu District, North Aceh Regency, Aceh, on Thursday (16/11/2023). Rohingya refugees have been arriving in Aceh since 2011.

BANDA ACEH, KOMPAS - Over the course of three days, from Tuesday to Thursday (14-16/11/2023), three boats carrying Rohingya immigrants, citizens of Myanmar, landed in Aceh. At least 592 immigrants were found on the three boats.

The first ship landed on the beach of Gampong/Desa Blang Raya, Muara Tiga District, Pidie Regency, on Tuesday (14/11/2023). There were 196 immigrants on board the wooden ship.

Camat (district head) of Muara Tiga, Bachtiar, stated that the refugees were only temporarily accommodated. He hoped that the authorized parties in charge of handling foreign refugees would make the right policy decisions. "We are only providing logistical assistance to the best of our ability as a form of humanity," said Bachtiar.

The next day, or Wednesday (15/11/2023), a ship carrying 147 Rohingya people landed on the beach of Gampong Kulee, Batee District, Pidie. The immigrants who landed in Muara Tiga and Batee have been taken to a temporary shelter location at Yayasan Mina Raya, Gampong Luen Tanjong, Padang Tiji District.

On Thursday (16/11/2023), a Rohingya boat landed in the village of Aron, Muara Batu district, North Aceh regency. The boat carrying 249 people landed at 5.30 pm. The total number of Rohingya immigrants who landed reached 592 people. However, data collection is not yet complete, so the number may still change.

Previously, the ship that landed in North Aceh docked at Jangka Beach, Bireuen Regency, but the residents there rejected the presence of Rohingya. This is because in October 2023, as many as 36 Rohingya immigrants landed on Peudada Beach, Bireuen, without a ship. Residents suspected that the Rohingya immigrants were intentionally brought by certain individuals.

After being given logistical assistance in the form of food, the ship was towed back out to sea and eventually ended up landing in a neighboring county, namely North Aceh.

When landing in North Aceh, staff members of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) accompanied the immigrants. As of the release of this news, officers are still conducting initial data collection and inspections.

A staff member of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Indonesia, Faisal Rahman, stated that they are currently monitoring the situation of the Rohingya people. He hopes that the local community and government will allow for temporary shelter for the refugees.

"I request time to coordinate with all parties, including the government. We respect all government policies," said Faisal.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

A Rohingya refugee carried her child while in a temporary shelter in Ladong Village, Mesjid Raya District, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh, on Tuesday (10/1/2023). The influx of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh has not stopped arriving in Aceh.

The Coordinator of the Working Body Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Aceh, Azharul Husna, stated that the local government is obliged to accept the presence of Rohingya immigrants because they are victims of violence and human rights violations.

"They were stranded at sea and then refused when they tried to land. This clearly shows a lack of empathy. The government's commitment to upholding human rights should be questioned," said Azharul.

Following Presidential Regulation Number 125 on Handling Refugees, UNHCR is working together and coordinating with authorities, partners, NGOs, and humanitarian actors in the field to ensure that refugees receive protection and basic needs, guided by the regulation.

Previously, International Concern Group for Rohingya (ICGR) Secretary Adli Abdullah stated that so far local Aceh governments have shown high solidarity by accepting the presence of Rohingya refugees. However, local governments can only assist in times of emergency, while a comprehensive solution requires international cooperation.

"The ASEAN member countries must be involved in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis," said Adli.