ROHINGYAS IN ACEH -- GOI VOWS QUICK TRANSFER,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001049

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/PD, EAP/RSP. DRL;
NSC FOR EPHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV ID BM CE
SUBJECT: ROHINGYAS IN ACEH -- GOI VOWS QUICK TRANSFER,
ACCOUNTABILITY

REF: A. STATE 64070

B. JAKARTA 1035 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Key Indonesian officials have agreed with
our recommendation to move the Rohingya asylum seekers and
Bangladeshi migrants away from the tense Idi Rayeuk camp in
East Aceh, Sumatra. They also pledged to act quickly to
separate minors. Responding to a demarche on these points
delivered by DepPol/C, the GOI further said it would
investigate the recent beatings of migrants and hold any
culprits accountable. The GOI furthermore asked for closer
coordination with the USG and other stakeholders to fully
address the problem of Rohingya/Bangladeshi migrants in Aceh.
END SUMMARY.

DELIVERING USG POINTS


2. (C) DepPol/C delivered points contained in ref A demarche
to Zainal Arifin, a senior official responsible for Aceh from
the Security Coordinating Ministry, and Andhika (one name
only) in charge of migration and smuggling issues at the
Department of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized that the GOI's
humanitarian treatment of the two groups of Rohingyas and
Bangladeshis has been commended by the USG and the
international community, and he discussed how difficult the
current irregular migration situation is for Indonesia.

EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE


3. (C) DepPol/C then expressed our concern over the recent
beatings of migrants by Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) staff,
with possible involvement of an off-duty police officer (Ref
B). We stressed the need for no more violence and for
accountability. We then discussed in detail how the GOI can
work with the UNHCR and International Organization for
Migration (IOM) to move the migrants immediately, stating
that our first preference would be IOM community housing but
otherwise moving the Idi Rayeuk Rohingyas to Sabang Island.


4. (C) DepPol/C cited the potential for more violence due to
rising tensions and the likelihood that many more would try
to escape (see more below). He asked that the minors be
moved immediately to IOM housing in Medan, North Sumatra, and
the Bangladeshis to the IOM-run immigration detention center
in Tanjung Pinang, Sumatra. He noted that the USG has
provided USD 295,000 to IOM which would cover transfer and
care of all the migrants.

GOI ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS


5. (C) Zainal Arifin, who has the authority to coordinate
action to address these issues, told DepPol/C that he agrees
fully with all these points. He said he would visit both the
Sabang and Idi Rayeuk camps right away, following his team's
recent visits. He then plans to convene an interagency
meeting to initiate quick action based on our
recommendations. He agreed that youth should be sent to IOM
housing, the Rohingyas to Tanjung Pinang and the Bangladeshis
elsewhere, likely to Sabang. He said he had talked to local
police and officials at Idi Rayeuk and was assured that they
would monitor the situation closely so that no more violence
took place.

ROHINGYAS HIGH PRIORITY


6. (C) Andhika, the senior migration official at the Foreign
Affairs Ministry, also agreed with our points. He added that
an investigation has begun into the violence, and the GOI
would hold all those culpable accountable, including both Red
Cross staff and police (if involved). He said an interagency
meeting had been held a few days ago which focused on the
Rohingya and Bangladeshi camps in Aceh.


7. (C) Andhika added that different GOI offices have gotten
conflicting information and suggested a meeting in early July
with all interested parties: Foreign Affairs, Immigration,
Security Coordination Department, IOM, UNHCR, USG and the
Australian Government (which is funding the Tanjung Pinang
immigration camp),to discuss all available options for a
long-term solution. Meanwhile, he said an inter-departmental

JAKARTA 00001049 002 OF 002


meeting would be held this week to discuss the immediate
steps discussed above. He added that a Bali Process ad hoc
meeting on irregular migration will be held sometime in late
July, possibly in Bali, and will focus on Rohingyas. We
noted our strong support for the Bali Process.


8. (SBU) Separately, five more migrants from the Idi Rayeuk
camp escaped after morning prayers on June 20. They remained
at large as of June 22. A total of nine have escaped so far.
However, in contrast to other recent escapes, there was no
violence or retaliation against the remaining migrants in the
camp following the escapes.
HUME