ID :
56108
Sat, 04/18/2009 - 08:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/56108
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ROHINGYA BOAT PEOPLE'S VERIFICATION FINISHED IN TWO MORE WEEKS
Jakarta, April 17 (ANTARA) - The verification of the motives and intentions of Rohingya "boat people" currently being accomodated in Aceh will be completed within two weeks' time, foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said here on Friday.
"The verification was begun a week ago and is expected to be completed in the next two weeks," he said.
He said the start of the verification had been delayed because of a problem in finding interpreters. "We gave the UNHCR freedom to employ Rohingya-language interpreters but it proved not to be easy to find them. But now six interpreters are available," he said.
Faizasyah said that during interviews the Indonesian government always provided assistance.
"The result of the process will also be reported to the Indonesian government for deciding further steps," he said.
He said following a foreign ministerial-level meeting in Bali this week on illegal immigrants an agreement was reached for the establishment of an ad hoc team with members from countries of origin, transit and destination to settle the case.
In connection with information that some of the boat people had fled, Faizasyah said that those who had fled had already been sent back to the accomodation center.
A total of 391 Rohingyas are currently being accomodated in two places in Aceh after they were found drifting in the sea after being treated inhumanly by Thai security authorities.
They arrived in the Indonesian province in Sumatra in two batches namely 193 people on January 7 and 198 others on February 3.
The first batch of Moslem Rohingyas was accomodated in Weh Island in Sabang while the second one in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh.
The Indonesian government has decided to accomodate them temporarily and provided them with some humanitarian assistance including health treatment, accomodations and food.
Although some quarters have urged the government to accept the refugees the government has admitted that it would be difficult if it had to meet their living needs.
The Rohingyas have so far lived on the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh who considered this ethnic group illegal settlers in their regions.
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"The verification was begun a week ago and is expected to be completed in the next two weeks," he said.
He said the start of the verification had been delayed because of a problem in finding interpreters. "We gave the UNHCR freedom to employ Rohingya-language interpreters but it proved not to be easy to find them. But now six interpreters are available," he said.
Faizasyah said that during interviews the Indonesian government always provided assistance.
"The result of the process will also be reported to the Indonesian government for deciding further steps," he said.
He said following a foreign ministerial-level meeting in Bali this week on illegal immigrants an agreement was reached for the establishment of an ad hoc team with members from countries of origin, transit and destination to settle the case.
In connection with information that some of the boat people had fled, Faizasyah said that those who had fled had already been sent back to the accomodation center.
A total of 391 Rohingyas are currently being accomodated in two places in Aceh after they were found drifting in the sea after being treated inhumanly by Thai security authorities.
They arrived in the Indonesian province in Sumatra in two batches namely 193 people on January 7 and 198 others on February 3.
The first batch of Moslem Rohingyas was accomodated in Weh Island in Sabang while the second one in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh.
The Indonesian government has decided to accomodate them temporarily and provided them with some humanitarian assistance including health treatment, accomodations and food.
Although some quarters have urged the government to accept the refugees the government has admitted that it would be difficult if it had to meet their living needs.
The Rohingyas have so far lived on the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh who considered this ethnic group illegal settlers in their regions.
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T.G003
