Sweating it out: Sri Lankan boat people, moored off Merak Port in Banten province, receive drinking water on Oct. 28. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
The Riau Islands administration will host 78 Sri Lankan boat people at its immigration detention center in Tanjung Pinang. Provincial justice and human rights office head I Gede Widiharta said Monday the South Asians were heading to Tanjung Pinang on an Australian customs ship. Two Indonesian warships flanked the Australian vessel when it entered Bintan waters.
"The Sri Lankan refugees will be relocated here following a ministerial talk between the two countries. The Justice and Human Rights Ministry has requested us to arrange the relocation," Widiharta said. Australia has denied entry to the Sri Lankans. Widiharta said the choice of the Tanjung Pinang immigration office's detention center was made by the central government.
Your comments:
Isn't Indonesia an "international country"? These people aren't asylum seekers, they are asylum shoppers.
Aengus-Cam
Sydney
If they are truly refugees, surely they would seek refuge in the first country that could provide safety. Why is there this "Western country only" scenario? What happens if Indonesia plans to give them asylum? Would they bite the hand that feeds them?
Dave N
Jakarta
Australia has denied entry to the Sri Lankans as they are totally safe in Indonesia. There is no oppression against Sri Lankan Tamils in Indonesia, but they refused to stay in Indonesia and tried to come to Australia illegally. They are not genuine asylum seekers. They are "economic refugees".
Brad
Sydney
Brad, I wish I could make that sort of judgment about whether people are genuine or not. And all the way from Sydney too! How do you do that? Judging from your mangled English, I'd say you weren't originally Australian (maybe I'm wrong).
If so, don't you remember what it was like being suddenly free, free to be yourself, to say what you wanted without fear of being arrested and bashed, to walk down the street without wondering if you're about to be attacked or hit by a sniper.
As an Australian with a migrant background, I can tell you that it made a big impact on me. Try talking to people who have been in the situation these people have faced. Go visit them in Villawood, like I have. It's life-changing. And you learn not to jump to conclusions so quickly.
Freddy
Surabaya
Why do we have to deal with this every time? The Australians say no to these refugees, but we have to be generous? I'm all for human rights, but if Australia claims to be a Commonwealth nation they should welcome these Sri Lankans. Or send them back to Sri Lanka, of course.
Dimzee-oowee
Amsterdam
