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