Indonesia may ‘push back’ Rohingya refugees amidst fears of sinking

Authorities in Indonesia have said that they will ‘push back’ a boat with nearly 120 Rohingya refugees on board. There are fears of the boat capsizing if the passengers are not allowed to safely disembark.

According to international media reports, the authorities have said they will push the boat back to international waters despite the fears that it could sink in the country’s Aceh region. There are reports that the boat is leaking and has a damaged engine.

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The United Nations (UN) has issued a statement regarding the conflict and expressed hope that the passengers be allowed to safely disembark. The statement read: “UNHCR is deeply concerned for the safety and lives of those on board. To prevent needless loss of life, we strongly urge the Indonesian government to allow safe disembarkation immediately”.

Meanwhile, locals have reportedly helped the police and navy officials in providing necessities including food and medicine to the stranded refugees.

According to The Guardian, the leader of the local tribal fishing community, Badrudding Yunus, claimed the boat was initially spotted by fishermen on Sunday at about ninety-six kilometers away from the coast of Bireuen (a district in Aceh province). He said that the condition of the refugees is “weak but fine”.

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Moreover, Yunus said that the refugees which include sixty women, fifty-one children, and nine men, are being provided for in the form of food and water, medicines, and clothes, respectively.

According to The Guardian, the Rohingya refugees have been isolated in the water for nearly 28 days before the boat’s engine broke. The boat was reportedly headed towards Malaysia. Meanwhile, local authorities have provided a new engine and a repair technician apart from basic necessities to ensure they can be safely pushed back.

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Muzakkar Ghani, district chief Bireuen claimed that there are fears of the refugees being Covid-19 positive.

It is pertinent to note that since August 2017, approximately 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have had to flee from Buddhist-majority Myanmar.