Update: Ongoing Crisis of Trafficking, Desperation and Global Inaction

Burma

Following up on last week’s report of three Rohingya boats stranded without food or fuel, the Sri Lanka navy has arrested the passengers of the one boat they rescued. Please write to the Sri Lankan government to implore them not to return the Rohingya to Burma (Myanmar) as this will put their lives in great danger. While these survivors recover their health from their ordeal at sea, Sri Lanka should speak with international partners (including UNHCR) about alternatives to “refoulement”– sending refugees back to their countries or origin is actually against international legal norms. Instead, lawyers for the refugees should be provided for court hearings.

Please contact: Department of Immigration controller@immigration.gov.lk
Copy: WMDJ Fernando, Cabinet Secretary secretary@cabinetoffice.gov.lk
Copy: ABM Ashraf, Muslim Affairs director@muslimaffairs.gov.lk

As noted last week, a Vietnamese oil and gas company has already returned the 150 passengers of Hai Duong 29, another stranded ship. This is shameful, given the history of Vietnam’s boat people fleeing oppression. Another boat stranded in the Malacca Straits. It appears that local governments will find a way to evade their humanitarian responsibilities. While we have been in touch with US and UN officials, we do not feel confident in their level of response. Those with family in the region are urgently requested to ask them to demand action. People with boats in the area should take the matter into their own hands, as the good people of Aceh did in 2016.

We also discussed this matter with the staff of Senator Markey, whose staff has just returned from a visit to Cox’s Bazar, and who were not fooled by the spin of local officials. Senator Markey is energetically promoting education to Rohingya children. We also released a public statement commending the US Government decision to receive Rohingya refugees from that area, and will press Japan to do the same, as the Bangladesh Government has requested.

On a more positive note, the UN has heard the voice of the people and refused to seat the Burmese military representative in the UN General Assembly . Refugees International has published a strong new report on Rohingya refugees, and USCIRF has issued a report on the denial of religious freedom in Burma.