By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
Jakarta, Indonesia- Indonesia has stated the 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers stranded in a boat off the coast of Sumatra must either cooperate with authorities over identity checks or risk expulsion.
The Sri Lankans were caught in Indonesian water on 18 October while attempting to reach Australia. Both nations agreed to a deal last week which would see the asylum seekers moved to an Indonesian detention center. The Sri Lankans, ethnic Tamils who are on board the Australian vessel “Oceanic Viking” have refused to be moved to Riau Island, an immigration detention center in Tanjungpinang, said an Indonesian diplomat. “The Sri Lanka immigrants insist on going to Australia instead,” said Sujatmiko, the foreign ministry’s diplomatic security director.
The asylum seekers numbering 68 men, five women and five children, were detained by Australian customs ship Oceanic Viking, 240 miles from Padang in waters near Enggano Island.
Teuku Faizahsyah, Indonesia’s foreign ministry spokesperson told the BBC that Indonesia will only be able to host the asylum seekers until they have been clearly identified. The asylum seekers have so far resisted any efforts to get off the ship. Faizahsyah says that if the stand-off continues, Indonesia will have no choice but to expel the Sri Lankans.
Indonesia could not force them to move to the Riau Islands’ immigration detention center because it would violate international law. The refugees initially rejected health check-up by an Indonesian medical team but finally gave up after being persuaded by members of the Indonesian foreign affairs ministry’s team.
“Today the Oceanic Viking ship is still in water around 12 miles off the Bintan District coast,” said Sujatmiko. The permission by the Indonesian government allowing the ship to moor near Cempedak Isle expires next Friday. Sujatmiko denied a report saying that Indonesia had received US$50 million as compensation for accepting Sri Lankan immigrants, stating the government was willing to accept the asylum seekers because of humanitarian reasons.
The deal has been seen as a prelude to a wider-ranging agreement between the two nations expected to be signed in November. The agreement would see Australia hand over cash to Indonesia, in exchange for Jakarta ensuring that Australia-bound ships with asylum seekers on board are intercepted. The agreement has been criticized by some in Indonesia who say it is only a way for Australia to outsource its problems to their country.
For more information, please see:
BBC News- Indonesia ‘Might Expel’ Refugees – 29 October 2009
Antara News- Sri Lanka Refugees to Budge From Australian Ship – 28 October 2009
Sri Lanka Watch- Australia Refuses to Accept SL Asylum Seekers – 30 October 2009
