AUSTRALIAN ISLAMIC COUNCIL CALLS ON RI NOT TO DEPORT ROHINGYA REFUGEES

Brisbane, Feb 15 (ANTARA) - The Australian Federation of Islamic Council (AFIC) hoped that the government of Indonesia would not deport Moslem Rohingya refugees to their home country in Myanmar just for the sake of their life.
In return, the AFIC called on Indonesia to accommodate within unlimited time till the settlement of those refugees in the future, AFIC President Ikebal Adam Patel said in a letter sent to Indonesian embassy office in Canberra with a copy letter made available to Antara bureau office in Brisbane on Sunday.
"We hope that the government of Indonesia can show their care on the suffering of Rohingya moslems who happen to be a minority often intimidated, suppressed, kidnapped, raped and persecuted by Myanmar's military junta," Patel said.
Indonesia is expected not to return those moslem refugees to the hand of Myanmarese tyranny military junta for fear of possible execution waiting for them in the home country.
"On behalf of humanitarianism and care, we hope Indonesia can consider their fate and allow them to live for the time being in this world largest archipelagic country pending an appropriate settlement in the future," Patel said.
As many as 391 Rohingya boat people are not being accommodated in two places in the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam before being found floating adrift in the sea in a boat without any machines.
They stranded on most northern tip of Sumatra island in two batches, namely 193 people on January 7, 2009 and other 198 people on February 3, 2009.
The first batch of Rohingya moslems was sheltered on Weh island, Sabang, while the second batch that arrived on February was accommodated in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh.
Last January, Thai authority was reported to have sent at least 1000 Rohingya moslems to the sea on their boat without any engine and adequite supply of waters and food.
The report of international media also said that many of Rohingya boat people admitted to have been tortured by Thai security.