UNHCR seeks access to Myanmar refugees
The United Nations has expressed concern for the plight of 174 Myanmar boat people in Indonesian custody who were allegedly left to die at sea by the Thai military, a spokeswoman said yesterday.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has made two written requests to the Indonesian government for access to the ethnic Rohingya refugees, found drifting off the northern tip of Sumatra island on January 7, she said.
They are believed to be survivors from a group of about 1,000 Rohingya boat people who claim to have been detained and beaten by the Thai military late last year before being set adrift at sea with few provisions.
Nearly 650 Rohingya have been rescued in waters off India and Indonesia this month, but Jakarta has not allowed independent access to the people in its care to confirm they are from the same group allegedly abandoned off Thailand.
"The UNHCR has expressed concern to (the Indonesian government) but we cannot get involved directly in the handling of the boat people because we have not had a response," UNHCR spokeswoman Anita Restu said.
She said the UN was hoping for an answer next week, after a second written request for access was sent to the Indonesian foreign ministry on Thursday.
"We do not know if they are looking for asylum but in view of the situation in North Rakhine state (in Myanmar) we are sure they are looking for international protection," she said.
Myanmar effectively denies citizenship rights to the Muslim Rohingya minority in western North Rakhine state, leading to their abuse and exploitation, and forcing thousands to flee abroad, mainly to Bangladesh.
Thailand says it is investigating the allegations against its military but has refused to give the UNHCR access to 126 Rohingya refugees in its custody.
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