JAKARTA, 26 June 2020 – UNHCR, the UN agency for refugees, praised the Indonesian Government for the emergency landing permits granted to nearly 100 people who had been adrift in Indonesian waters for several days.
Of the 99 people rescued on the mainland of Lhoksemauwe, North Aceh, by local residents, including 48 women, 34 children and 17 adult men. Most of them are thought to be Rohingya refugees and have been at sea in precarious conditions for several months.
“Saving lives must always be the top priority. “We commend the authorities in Indonesia for allowing this vulnerable group of men, women and children to reach safety,” said Ann Maymann, Head of UNHCR Representative in Indonesia.
“Indonesia has several times taken actions that should be used as an example by other countries in the region, after providing humanitarian/life-saving assistance to Rohingya people on ships in Aceh in 2015 and 2018. We are very grateful to see the same humanitarian spirit at this time. This.”
Facilitation of emergency landings for ships in distress and life-saving assistance are very important humanitarian actions to take. Besides that, safe and humane reception conditions, accompanied by access to international protection, including asylum procedures, are very crucial.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are restricting movement between borders as part of efforts to maintain public health, to prevent the spread of the virus. However, through mitigation methods such as quarantine and health checks, restrictions in border areas can be regulated in certain ways that still take into account human rights and international refugee protection standards, including the principle of non-refoulement.
UNHCR is ready to support the Government of Indonesia in providing needed humanitarian assistance and good quarantine measures in the days ahead, in accordance with international standards and public health protocols.
The fact that vulnerable groups consisting of women, men and children continue to undertake high-risk journeys in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, shows how important it is for countries to work together to achieve regional solutions to address irregular maritime movements.
UNHCR emphasizes its appeal to countries in the region to unite on the basis of the principle of solidarity and equal distribution of responsibility in addressing problems related to the protection and humanitarian needs of refugees and asylum seekers at sea.
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For further information, please contact: Mitra Suryono, Associate External Relations/Public Information Officer – UNHCR Indonesia, [email protected]
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