Current:Home > BackMore Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia despite rejection from locals-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
More Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia despite rejection from locals
View Date:2024-12-23 18:56:06
MEDAN, Indonesia (AP) — Some 170 likely Rohingya refugees, mostly hungry and weak women and children, were found on a beach in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province after weeks at sea, officials said on Sunday.
The group arrived on a beach at Kuala Besar, a fishing village in Langkat district, late Saturday, said the village head, Muhammad Amiruddin.
Villagers who saw the group of Rohingya Muslims helped them with food and water as they waited for further instructions from immigration and local officials in North Sumatra province, he said.
However, residents around the beach hesitated over having the refugees in their villages, Amiruddin said.
“We helped them as they look very weak from hunger and dehydration,” Amiruddin said, “But many residents cannot accept them to live in our village because they will only bring problems later.”
A mob of students on Wednesday attacked the basement of a local community hall in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province, where 137 Rohingya were taking shelter.
The incident drew an outcry from human rights group and the U.N. refugee agency, which said the attack left the refugees shocked and traumatized.
Indonesia’s navy said Thursday that it forcibly pushed a boat packed with refugees back to international waters after the vessel approached the shores of Aceh province a day earlier.
It’s unclear whether the refugees who arrived late Saturday in neighboring North Sumatra province were from the same boat that was pushed away by the navy on Wednesday.
Indonesia has appealed to the international community for help and intensified patrols of its waters due to a sharp rise in Rohingya refugees leaving overcrowded camps in Bangladesh since November. Over 1,500 Rohingya have arrived in Aceh and faced some hostility from fellow Muslims.
Indonesia, like Thailand and Malaysia, is not a signatory to the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention so is not obligated to accept the Rohingya. So far, refugees in distress have received at least temporary accommodation.
Muslims comprise nearly 90% of Indonesia’s 277 million people, and Indonesia once tolerated such landings, while Thailand and Malaysia pushed refugee boats away. But there has been a surge of anti-Rohingya sentiment this year, especially in Aceh, where residents accuse the Rohingya of poor behavior and creating a burden.
The growing hostility of some Indonesians toward the Rohingya has put pressure on President Joko Widodo’s government to take action.
About 740,000 Rohingya were resettled in Bangladesh after fleeing their homes in Myanmar to escape a brutal counterinsurgency campaign by security forces. But the camps in Bangladesh are squalid, with surging gang violence and rampant hunger, leading many to flee again.
___
Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
veryGood! (511)
Related
- Garth Brooks wants to move his sexual assault case to federal court. How that could help the singer.
- Hundreds gather to remember former fire chief fatally shot at Trump rally in Pennsylvania
- Donald Trump’s Family: A Guide to the Former President’s Kids and Grandkids
- U.S. Secret Service director agrees to testify to House lawmakers after Trump assassination attempt
- ONA Community Introduce
- Video shows Wisconsin police dramatically chase suspects attempting to flee in a U-Haul
- Report: WNBA agrees to $2.2B, 11-year media rights deal with ESPN, Amazon, NBC
- Shop the Best Nordstrom Anniversary 2024 Deals Under $100, Including Beauty, Fashion, Home & More
- Brittany Cartwright Defends Hooking Up With Jax Taylor's Friend Amid Their Divorce
- Angelina Jolie Asks Brad Pitt to End the Fighting in Legal Battle
Ranking
- Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
- US Army honors Nisei combat unit that helped liberate Tuscany from Nazi-Fascist forces in WWII
- Mike Tyson set to resume preparations for Jake Paul fight after layoff for ulcer flareup
- Crooks' warning before rampage: 'July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds'
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- Summer 'snow' in Philadelphia breaks a confusing 154-year-old record
- Don't believe Texas is ready for the SEC? Nick Saban does. So should you.
- Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu not in WNBA All-Star 3-point contest
Recommendation
-
Tom Brady Shares How He's Preparing for Son Jack to Be a Stud
-
Splash Into Summer With Lands’ End 40% off Sitewide & 75% off Clearance Sale on Swimwear, Coverups & More
-
Cucumbers sold at Walmart stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana recalled due to listeria
-
US Army honors Nisei combat unit that helped liberate Tuscany from Nazi-Fascist forces in WWII
-
Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
-
Delay of Texas death row inmate’s execution has not been the norm for Supreme Court, experts say
-
When do new 'Big Brother' episodes come out? Season 26 schedule, where to watch
-
Don't believe Texas is ready for the SEC? Nick Saban does. So should you.