ROHINGYA SITUATION BREAKTHROUGH -- UNHCR PROMISED

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000194


DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, PRM/HTRAN, DRL; NSC FOR EPHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF ID BM
SUBJECT: ROHINGYA SITUATION BREAKTHROUGH -- UNHCR PROMISED
ACCESS

REF: JAKARTA 182 AND PREVIOUS

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


1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see paragraph 7.


2. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI's Department of Foreign Affairs
(Deplu) has told UNHCR that it will be granted access to the
two groups of Rohingya boat people being cared for in Aceh.
The promise is contingent on UNHCR including humanitarian
assistance in its action plan. UNHCR believes the emergency
assistance which the USG hopes to provide and other relief
will be sufficient to meet this condition. This major
breakthrough--which Mission pressed hard for--should allow
UNHCR to provide protection pending a long-term solution.
Action request underscores immediate need for USG assistance
contribution. END SUMMARY.

A BREAKTHROUGH


3. (C) On February 5, Deplu told UNHCR that it would be
granted access to the two groups of nearly 400
Rohingyas/Bangladeshi, including one group living on a Navy
base on Sabang Island since January 7 and a second group
rescued by fishermen in East Aceh District on February 2.
The promise was made after the GOI completed its own
assessment of the first group of Rohingyas.


4. (C) Aneheli Aldharmmar of UNHCR who met with Deplu told
DepPol/C the commitment to access was contingent on provision
of humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate and
long-term needs of the groups. Provided that the UNHCR
action plan to be presented to Deplu on February 9 commits to
assistance, UNHCR will have immediate access to both groups.
UNHCR plans to assess the Sabang group first, a process that
will take about two weeks, and then to interview the second
group located at Idie Sub-District in East Aceh.

ASSISTANCE PACKAGE


5. (C) IOM will work with UNHCR in providing four
interpreters and humanitarian assistance since UNHCR does not
have the funding at this time. The assistance package could
include USD 10,000 already provided by Australian
Immigration, USD 15,000 tentatively promised by PRM, and
further assistance from the American Red Cross, Jesuit Relief
Service and other private organizations. UNHCR and IOM would
still need to find other sources for longer-term needs.


6. (C) Deplu's Director General for Human Rights also
attended the meeting with UNHCR, indicating the importance of
the human rights aspect of this situation. Arzal Firman,
Deputy Director of Human Rights, told DepPol/C that his
office had weighed in on persuading other officials to grant
access to UNHCR. This was after Mission repeatedly
underscored the need for such access in meetings with the
GOI.

PRM FUNDING URGENTLY NEEDED


7. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Mission requests urgent funding of
the USD 15,000 requested by IOM to meet the immediate needs
of the Rohingya refugees living in Sabang. Another request
by IOM to meet longer term needs to follow in the next week.


HUME