Foreign Affairs Ministry had stated that Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees, therefore it has no obligation or capacity to accommodate or permanently settle refugees.Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - About 315 ethnic Rohingya arrived in Indonesia's Aceh province on Sunday, chief of the fishermen community in Aceh, Miftach Tjuk Adek, confirmed.
Adek said there were two separate boats carrying Rohingya refugees that reached the shores of Aceh. One of the boats landed in Blang Ulam in Aceh Besar, while the other reached Blang Raya in Pidie.
According to Adek, the Rohingya refugees landed in Pidie and Aceh Besar around 3 a.m. and 5.20 a.m. local time, respectively.
Despite facing resistance from local residents, Rohingya refugees persevered and eventually landed in Pidie, he said.
Chief of Muara Tiga Police in Pidie, Efendi, estimated that approximately 180 Rohingya refugees landed in the district.
In Aceh Besar, roughly 135 Rohingya came ashore, Chief of Krueng Raya Police in Aceh Besar, Rolly Yuiza Away said. However, he did not have detailed information of the exact number of total refugees.
The refugees hopped off the ship and walked a kilometer to get where they are now, according to Away.
Today's arrival marks the 9th wave of Rohingya refugees to reach Aceh since November 2023.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday suspects human trafficking is behind the recent surge in Rohingya boat arrivals. He pledged cooperation with international organizations to effectively address this complex humanitarian issue.
Foreign Affairs Ministry had stated that Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees, therefore it has no obligation or capacity to accommodate or permanently settle refugees.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Rahmat Fajri
Editor: Arie Novarina
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