By Kevin M. Mathewson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

JAVA, Indonesia — A boat carrying Australia-bound asylum-seekers sank off Indonesia’s Java Island, killing at least eleven. It was estimated that roughly 200 people may have been aboard the boat that began sinking Tuesday evening. Five children and a pregnant woman were among the eleven confirmed dead.

An Indonesian police officer carries an exhausted young boy from the sea.

The rescued asylum-seekers said they were from Iraq, Iran, Sri Lanka and Syria.

The head of the local rescue agency has said the rescued are being held in a nearby immigration facility.

Every year countless people fleeing their home countries use Indonesia as a transit point. From there they board fishing boats bound for Australia.  Over 15,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia by boat this year. However, hundreds have died on the 310 mile journey.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a new asylum policy last week. Under this new policy, all arriving refugees would be resettled in Papua New Guinea, although their claims for asylum will still be assessed in Australia.

“The asylum seeker policy we’ve adopted is about sending a very clear message to people smugglers that if you try to come to Australia by boat you will not be settled in Australia. That is all about destroying the people smugglers’ business model.” said Rudd.

However, critics say Australia’s new policy has them dodging responsibility and handing over its problem to a developing nation. “This is an appalling performance by Australia, which with its monetary wealth is able to pass the buck on to poorer countries.” said Tobias Kulang, an opposition spokesman.

In the meantime, Immigration Minister Tony Burke has promised to visit Australia’s offshore processing center in Papua New Guinea after allegations of abuse have emerged. Former security manager, Rod St. George, recently admitted that some detainees have been raped and assaulted.

“[They’re] not even fit to be used as a dog kennel.” George said about the processing center.

Burke has called the allegations “horrific,” and intends to work through the concerns at the island.

For further information, please see:

BBC News – Four dead after Australia-bound asylum boat sinks – 24 July 2013

Yahoo! News – Indonesia searches for missing boatpeople – 24 July 2013

The Telegraph – Boat carrying more than 100 asylum seekers sinks off Indonesia – 24 July 2013

London Evening Standard – Three killed as Australia-bound refugee boat sinks – 24 July

Author: Impunity Watch Archive