UNHCR alarmed at reports of boat pushbacks in South-east Asia
The UN refugee agency is extremely alarmed at reports suggesting that Indonesia and Malaysia may have pushed back boats carrying vulnerable people from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
On Monday the Indonesian navy stated that it had escorted a boat out to sea, although it is not clear if this represents a change in the government's policy. Yesterday Malaysia's Maritime Enforcement Agency announced that it would not let foreign ships dock unless they are unseaworthy and sinking.
As conflicts and persecution force more and more people to seek safety beyond international borders, UNHCR has been emphasizing the importance of saving lives on the high seas.
"The first priority is to save lives. Instead of competing to avoid responsibility, it is key for States to share the responsibility to disembark these people immediately," said Volker Türk, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection.
"Sea crossings are a symptom of desperation as people are left with no other choice but to risk their lives," Mr Türk said. He reiterated the agency's global call for legal alternatives to access protection and safety, "Nobody should have to put their lives into the hands of ruthless smugglers."
In South-east Asia, several thousand people are believed to be stranded on smugglers' boats in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca, likely abandoned by their crews amid government crackdowns against traffickers. UNHCR is urging governments to facilitate disembarkation and keep their borders and ports open to prevent a humanitarian crisis at sea.
UNHCR is asking countries in South-east Asia to approach this as a regional issue with real human consequences as it has been engaging governments in the region on the growing problem of irregular maritime movements. The agency has been sharing information collected from interviews with hundreds of Rohingya who survived the journey, and offering concrete suggestions on coordinated responses.
Once the humanitarian needs are met, agencies like UNHCR can support States to interview the different groups and target solutions to their specific needs, as those being rescued are likely to be a mix of refugees, economic migrants, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children among those being smuggled.
The current situation highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation to address the challenge of irregular maritime movements. Through the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, UNHCR has been advocating for coordinated regional responses to search and rescue, disembarkation, needs identification and solutions.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
- In Bangkok, Vivian Tan on mobile +66 818 270 280
- In Geneva, Babar Baloch on mobile +41 79 557 9106
Related news and stories
Thousands of newly arrived Somali refugees in Ethiopia relocated to new settlement
Samira's Story
Drought brings life-threatening food shortages for refugees in Ethiopia
100,000 new Somali refugees arrive in Ethiopia in the past month, UN and partners are calling for urgent funding
Q&A with Mary Maker, UNHCR's newest Global Goodwill Ambassador
UNHCR teams and partners rush assistance to some 100,000 newly arrived Somali refugees in hard-to-reach area of Ethiopia
Your search for « Volker Turk » matched 519 results. Displaying page 13 of 58 pages.
-
UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection visits Afghanistan, urges for sustainable solutions to displaced Afghans
25 Apr 2017 ... KABUL, Afghanistan - The United Nations Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Mr. Volker Türk, during his visit to Afghanistan, urged the international community and the Government to ensure ...... -
"Can protection of environmentally displaced persons be found in existing protection regimes? What are the next steps from a protection perspective?" Remarks by Volker Türk at The Nansen Conference, Oslo, 7 June 2011
7 Jun 2011 ... regimes? What are the next steps from a protection perspective? Remarks by Volker Türk, Director Division of International Protection It is a great pleasure for...... -
Opening remarks to the Informal Exchange with Member States on the Global Compact on Refugees
22 Jun 2018 ... Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, It is good to be back in New York again and to have a chance to give you an update on where we are in the process of developing the global compact on refugees. ...... -
Ministerial Meeting of the Bali Process, Bali, Indonesia, 23 March 2016. Statement by Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection
23 Mar 2016 ... 1 Ministerial Meeting of the Bali Process Bali, Indonesia, 23 March 2016 Statement by Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Ministers, distinguished delegates, Thank you for the ...... -
Opening remarks to the informal exchange with Member States on the Global Compact on Refugees
11 May 2018 ... Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you very much, Ambassador Saikal, and thanks to all of you for joining us for this briefing on the proposed global compact on refugees. As the Ambassador ...... -
UN Assistant High Commissioner calls for humanitarian access and safe, voluntary repatriation of refugees during Myanmar visit
2 Nov 2017 ... YANGON, Myanmar, 2 November, 2017 – The United Nations Assistant High Commissioner (Protection), Mr. Volker Türk, concluded on Wednesday a two-day visit to Myanmar, during which he called for ...... -
Launch of the Education 2030 Framework for Action. UNESCO General Conference, 38th Session UNESCO, Paris, November 4, 2015. Statement by Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection
4 Nov 2015 ... Launch of the Education 2030 Framework for Action UNESCO General Conference, 38 th Session UNESCO, Paris, November 4, 2015 Statement by Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection UNHCR ...... -
Note on international protection (EC/65/SC/CRP.10). Presented by: The Director, Division of International Protection
1 Jul 2014 ... 1 60 th Meeting of the Standing Committee Agenda item 2: International Protection (1 July 2014) Volker Türk Director of International Protection Mr Chairman, Distinguished Delegates, Dear Colleagues, ...... -
18th International Meeting of Mine Action National Programme Directors and UN Advisors Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, UNHCR. Keynote Address
16 Feb 2015 ... 1 18 th International Meeting of Mine Action National Programme Directors and UN Advisors Volker Türk Assistant High Commissioner for Protection UNHCR Keynote address: Mine Action as a Critical ......