ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN INDONESIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000128 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL FOR GPAZ, EAP/RSP, G; NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2018 TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV ID BM SUBJECT: ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN INDONESIA REF: JAKARTA 52 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate Medan. Please see para 7 for action request. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: The Indonesian government on January 23 invited the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist with the safe repatriation of 193 Burmese and Bangladeshi nationals housed in a military camp in Sabang off the coast of Aceh, Sumatra. The GOI--which has characterized the refugees as economic migrants--has offered IOM direct access to the group. ¶3. (C) SUMMARY (Con'd): IOM will assist with repatriation only with voluntary written consent from the refugees. IOM said donations would be needed to pay the cost of repatriation and asked whether the USG could assist. UNHCR is also seeking access to the group. END SUMMARY. GOI CALLS IN IOM ¶4. (C) The GOI is grappling with how to deal with recent Rohingya refugee arrivals. The Foreign Ministry's East Asia Pacific Director Kristiarto Legowo met with IOM on January 23 to request assistance in repatriating the 193 Rohingya boat people stranded on Sabang Island after the Indonesian Navy rescued them on January 7 (see reftel). IOM Indonesia Director Stephen Cook told DepPol/C that he met with Legowo to discuss the situation. To date, access to the refugees has been limited to the GOI and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). IOM has provided medical and other humanitarian assistance through PMI. After 28 days at sea, 81 of the boat people required immediate medical attention. A few had tuberculosis. Seven died at sea. FM'S COMMENTS ¶5. (C) Wirajuda told the media that the boat people clearly were economic migrants not political refugees. Legowo told Cook that the GOI was reaching out to Burma and Bangladesh to accept the persons back. The GOI would require Burma to sign an agreement that they would not be persecuted. Mission has underscored to GOI interlocutors the USG's concern that the boat people not be subject to persecution if/when they return. We have also urged the GOI to involve UNHCR. Most of the 193 all-male group were Rohingyas who originated from Mundu in northwest Burma, with about 20 apparently from across the Burmese border in Bangladesh. ¶6. (C) The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has sent DEPLU a letter requesting access to the group. Cook reminded Legaowo of how sensitively this matter must be handled to avoid international criticism. Under international law, they cannot be sent back unless they voluntarily agree, even if written assurances are given by the Burmese government. IOM will not help repatriate anyone who has not agreed in writing, Cook told DepPol/C. ACTION REQUEST ¶7. (SBU) IOM does not have a budget to pay for the cost of repatriation since it works on earmarked funds for each individual project. Donors are needed in this case. Cook of IOM asked whether the USG might possibly be able to fund or possibly partially fund any repatriations. Mission will provide further details on IOM plans as they develop. END ACTION REQUEST. HUME