Aceh sends Jakarta a petition: cut all ties with Myanmar until the Rohingya are treated fairly

Bravo Aceh! The Rohingya refugee crisis has spurred human rights activists, normally timid and discouraged by provincial government officials, to join together to protest the inhumane treatment of Rohingya Muslims by Myanmar.

 

Today’s Andalou Agency post reports that “At a press conference to launch its plea Monday, the Coalition for Caring for Rohingya urged the government to act decisively against Myanmar's government, which it said had played a key role in the humanitarian crisis faced by [the] Muslim ethnic group.”

‘This is not a sectarian conflict, and not a horizontal conflict... this happened because of strong support from the Myanmar government on some violent actions such as murder, slaughter, and destruction,’ Coalition Chairman Adnin Armas told reporters.

Coalition for Caring for Rohingya is made up of members from several communities in Aceh, where there are currently 1062 refugees in Aceh Utara and Aceh Timur, who have been living in camps since the latest wave of refugees arrived two months ago.

The group is petitioning President Jokowi to reconsider Indonesia's relations with Myanmar, and demands Indonesian businessmen and state companies suspend investments in the country. It also calls for the revocation of Myanmar’s membership in ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations].

The petition will be posted to the House of Representatives and given President to Jokowi tomorrow; members of the group are also asking that the Rohingya be allowed to stay in Aceh until all issues with Myanmar are resolved.

While I don’t expect Jokowi to issue edicts cutting ties with Myanmar, I’ll be paying close attention to see what he does do, and how he publicly addresses this petition.  It is, after all, the ASEAN neighbors of Myanmar who will make the biggest impression; hopefully the threat of economic losses will sway Myanmar; ethics and human compassion certainly hasn’t done much.

http://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/546760--indonesia-aceh-wants-myanmar-punished-for-rohingya-abuse

Meanwhile, back at the rainforest . . . .

Maruchen, the top seller (67%) of ramen noodles in the US (if you eat Ramen Noodles or “Instant Lunch” you eat this stuff) is at the top of the worst “laggards” in adhering to any policies regarding palm oil sourcing and rainforest destruction.

 (RAN)

A few months ago I reported on the “Snack Food 20,” that group of enormously wealthy global food producers/sellers who used inordinate amounts of conflict palm oil in their products.  Rainforest Action Network held a series of campaigns and several companies (including Dunkin Donuts, bless them) responded, vowing to eliminate this unnecessary additive from their products and ceasing to support forest destruction and the devastation of indigenous communities in, predominantly, Africa and Indonesia.

The world loses approximately 80,000 acres of rainforest every day.  It’s been estimated that at least 6,000 of that is in Aceh, due to palm oil expansion.

Visit RAN’s website to find out how the other scofflaws are doing.  But at the moment, noting tops Ramen noodles, owned by Toyo Suisan Kaisha of Japan, and only boycotts and your voice can stop them.

Conflict Palm Oil In An Instant: Activists Call On Instant Noodle Giant to Clean Up Its Supply Chain

http://www.ran.org/conflict_palm_oil_in_an_instant_activists_call_on_instant_noodle_giant_to_clean_up_its_supply_chain

The companies need to adopt a “truly responsible global palm oil procurement policy, which requires fully traceable, legally produced palm oil, and eliminates sourcing from companies which are destroying rainforests or carbon-rich peatlands, stealing community lands or violating human and workers’ rights.”

But the bulldozers aren’t owned by Maruchen, Heinz or PepsiCo; they’re owned by the companies who provide the palm oil to them, and they are going to keep churning up the forests as long as the manufacturers are selling their products to . . . us.

It’s a losing battle for the rainforests and the cocoa farmers in Aceh unless you help.

Bayeun Refugee Camp Report, Aceh Timur

Robert submitted his assessment report yesterday so I wanted to present it here, with some additional photos. As you’ll read, many agencies and volunteers are at the camp now, but they only have enough supplies for three months.  So far I do not hear the world clamoring to provide additional help.  Hopefully IOM and Save the Children will apply for, and receive, additional funds.

But as usual, missing in all of this is any thought, care or assistance from Myanmar.  And world interest is fading fast.  The last editorial was May 20 from the Los Angeles Times: A global obligation to Myanmar's Rohingya refugees http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-refugees-rohingya-myanmar-20150524-story.html

Then on May 29^th CNN reported on the summit, which resulted in some lukewarm agreement by all involved countries -- Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar – “on the need for regional and international cooperation in reaching solutions for the problem, and . . .that the immediate need is to provide relief for the estimated thousands still stranded at sea.” Yes, and does that change Myanmar’s refusal to lift a finger?  It does not. In fact, during the proceedings, “Volker Turk, assistant high commissioner for protection, at the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said that Myanmar has a responsibility to its people, and that the granting of citizenship to stateless people in the country is key.”  But Myanmar's delegate, Htin Lynn, Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, countered, saying that Turk was "politicizing the issue by singling out Myanmar as a major cause of the crisis that has dragged on for weeks.”

"My dear colleague at UNHCR needs to be better informed," he said. "Finger pointing will not solve anything. It will take us nowhere." http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/29/asia/thailand-regional-migrant-meeting/

Neither, apparently, will any appeals to Myanmar to be humane and civilized and take back its citizens.

Seems like the meeting was a waste of time.

And after the meeting, what news of the refugees?

Nothing.

Apparently Reuters was at the Aceh Timur camp about the same time Robert was, because there are similar photos on the Sydney Morning herald’s very good May 29^th story, “Asian migrant crisis: Myanmar rejects responsibility for Rohingya refugees” http://www.smh.com.au/world/asian-migrant-crisis-myanmar-rejects-responsibility-for-rohingya-refugees-20150529-ghcajn.html

But I don’t think you’ll find a more comprehensive report of what is happening in the camps than the one Robert prepared for us.

Initial Assessment Report of Rohingya Refugees at the Bayeun Camp, Aceh Timur

Compiled by Robert Harmiani, Field officer for JMD.  Photos by Robert Harmiani

Translation provided by Junaidi Rusli, JMD Associate Director

Background

Civil rights violations and the persecution of ethnic and religious Myanmar has forced thousands of Myanmar citizens—especially the Muslim Rohingya people-- leave the country in fear for their lives.

In May 2015, Acehnese fishermen rescued several boatloads of Rohingya (from both Myanmar and Bangladesh) that had been adrift at sea for 3 months.

Currently there are 1,791 refugees being accommodated by the Indonesian government and located in camps in Aceh (Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Utara, Aceh Timur, Langsa) and North Sumatra (Medan).  The Myanmar refugees are seeking political asylum, whereas those from Bangladesh are looking for economic opportunities that can’t be found in their own country.

In the newest camp in Beyeun, the Bangladesh refugees and the Myanmar refugees are separated in different tents, since those seeking economic asylum only (Bangladesh) will have to be returned to their country, whereas the persecuted Rohingya from Myanmar will be offered asylum for up to one year.  It is unknown at this point what the disposition of the Rohingya refugees will be after the year has ended. The immigration authorities are currently drawing up paperwork for the return of the Bangladesh refugees (as well as insuring that they are identified correctly).

Below is a chart of the current status of refugees in the camps in Aceh as of June 2015:

Location	Rohingya Myanmar				Bangladesh				Total
	Male	Female	Child	Total	Male	Female	Child	Total
Aceh:
Aceh Utara	107	36	189	332	235	0	11	246	578
Aceh Timur	113	46	182	341	52	0	0	0	52
Langsa	63	48	135	246	394	1	37	432	678
Kuala Simpang	14	4	19	37	9	0	0	0	9
Sub –Total	297	134	525	956	690	1	48	739	1,695
North Sumatera:
Medan	16	7	17	40	47	0	9	56	92
Total Refugees	313	141	542	996	737	1	57	795	1,791

* UNHCR, 2015.

UNHCR is also at these camps and adhering to international protocol regarding the treatment and processing of refugees.

Rohingya and Bangladesh Refugee Camp in Bayeun village, Rantau Selamat subdistrict Aceh Timur

This temporary camp was the former site of a paper factory and so is large enough to accommodate all the refugees. It’s estimated that the refigees will be here for about one month. They are currently being assisted by UNHCR, IOM, other small local NGOs and local citizens, and several ministries form Aceh including Disaster Management, Health, and Social Services.

There are 398 refugees in Bayeun camp: 165 males, 46 females and 182 children. 341 are from Myanmar and 52 from Bangladesh.

Refugees based on age:

No	Male (years old)				Female (years old)
	0-4	5-11	12-17	18-60	0-4	5-11	12-17	18-60
	19	20	67	113	18	27	31	46

UNHCR, 2015.

Living Conditions at the camp

Temporary tents have been provided by the Aceh Disaster Management Agency.  The Indonesian government plans to have barracks constructed for long-term living.  Males and females have separate quarters, and children under age 10 stay in the women’s tent. 

Currently there are 4 tents total, with 50 men to a tent.  

 The women and children are housed in the 8 former offices of the paper factory, each approximately 6x6 meters (approximately 20x20 feet), with 12-15 women/children to a room.

Services

Health services are provided by Aceh Timur’s Health Department with the assistance of other NGOs and volunteers who have provided medicines and medical equipment. A health service tent for refugees has been established and provides emergency and mental health care In addition, the health canter also serves refugees with other health issues such TB, fever, cough, rashes, jaundice, etc.

Food and meals are also provided at the camp. There is a small kitchen built and organized by Aceh’s Social service Department. Every day the department cooks 180 kilos of rice as well as vegetables to serve to the entire camp. 

Clean water is provided by the Government’s water company (PDAM) which keeps the water tanks filled.

Assistance for both Myanmar and Bangladesh Refugees

Aid continues flow to the refugees at then Bayeun Camp. The level of concern from communities, the Aceh Government, NGOs and volunteers is still high.

Following is the aid/assistance provided by NGOs and the Aceh Government:

No	Institution/NGO	Type of Assistance provided	Total
1	UNHCR	Identifying refugees
2	IOM	Bathroom Toilet Water tanks Food/meals and cooking facilities	25 units 10 Units 10 Units 1 set
3	Save The Children	Education Psychosocial for children
4	Synergy For Solidarity	Meeting tent Bag for clothes	1 Unit 20 units
5	Gema Rencong (local NGO)	Medicines Support Psychosocial
6	PKPU (Local)	No information
7	Rodja TV	Blankets Mattress Sarong Cap	398 units 398 units
8	MDMC	Psychosocial Support
9	Hisbun Tahren Indonesia	Rice Pail Barracks	3 units
10	ACT(Aksi Cepat Tanggap) (NGO)	Prayer room Water tank Rice Noodles Frying oil	1 Unit 5 Units
11	Al Azhar (school)	Rice Noodle Support Psychosocial
12	Mer-C (NGO)	Medicines
13	Rumah Bintang (NGO)	Psychosocial
14	Yayasan Keluarga Anak Langit (NGO)	toys for children	1 set
15	Qatar Foundation	Sarong  Cap
16	World Human Care	No information
17	Social Department of Aceh Timur	Tent Rice Noodle Fraying oil	3 units
18	Social Service Department	Soup kitchen	1 units
19	Tagana (NGO)	Soup kitchen
20	Disaster Agency of Aceh Timur	Tents	7 units
21	Health Department of Aceh Timur	Health service Soap Tooth paste Tooth brush Medicines
22	Cleaning Department of Aceh Timur	Dustbin	20 Units
23	Communities around Aceh Timur and others	Clothes

NGOs and the Social Services Department provide refugees with items for daily living such as soap, toothpaste/ brush and eating utensils, as well as a mattress, towel, cap, sandals, blankets, and sarongs.

Availability of Needed Inventory

The camp has enough provisions at this point to last one or two months.

Still needed, however, are clothing bags and sarongs.

Permanent shelters also are needed, as well as livelihoods and life skills training for re-integration into a new country.

There currently exist few activities for refugees at the camp.  They occupy their time by praying, keeping the camp clean, and taking care of the children.  They would welcome the opportunity to learn a new skill or trade, especially one that would earn them a small income during their time in the camp. Many are good artisans and skilled farmers. If they are given a small amount of materials they could create and market their products and possibly sell them to community members.

Points made in a discussion with Mr Usman, the Assistant to the Bupati of Aceh Timur

·       President Widodo has approved the housing and care of refugees in Aceh for one year

·       The Aceh Timur authorities are happy to comply with this as long as Jakarta is also supporting the camp, and there is assistance from other NGOs as well

·       Aceh Timur does not currently have plans to build more permanent shelter for the refugee, but welcomes any proposal or assistance from outside organizations or NGOs.

·       The Department of Social Services in Aceh is limited to the provision of assistance and food for three months

·       Currently there are not enough tents for all the refugees and as yet there is no plan as to how to obtain more; officials have spoken to Jakarta about this.

·       Any and all humanitarian aid agencies are welcome to come to Aceh Timur to provide assistance.

·       JMD is also invited to provide life skills and sustainable agriculture training in the space around the camp, which is quite open and large.

Discussion with Ali, a Rohingya Refugee from Myanmar

Robert was able to speak with Ali, who speaks Malay, and who told him that none of the refugees want to return to Myanmar.  When they left Myanmar, it was without a destination in mind, they just jumped in a boat in order to save their own lives, and are very grateful that they landed in Aceh.

Those who could work in Myanmar were usually subsistence farmers, construction laborers, and makers of men’s caps.

Ali and Robert discussed the possibility of developing a training (translated by Ali) that would help some of the men learn some agricultural skills necessary for life in Aceh, such as cocoa cultivation. 

The women, Ali said, are very talented and make very good clothing, especially the s specialty caps worn by the men.  They also expressed interest in helping the fishermen, who saved, them, make or repair fishing nets.

Ali reports that as long as they are able to stay in the camp, they have absolutely no complaints about their treatment.

Health Issues

Mrs. Ika Sukamwati with the Health Department of Aceh Timur reports that there are a few cases of TB at the camp, as well as some rashes and a few broken bones.  If there were a more urgent issue, the individual would be taken to a public hospital in Idi city (the capitol of Aceh Timur). The individuals with TB for example, were taken to that hospital.

The Health department distributes soap and toothpaste biweekly.  

Social Services

Ibu Eva, head of the Women and Children’s Protection Department of Aceh Timur, reports that all the women and children at the camp have been interviewed and data collected on them. This department is keeping close track of the women and children to prevent trafficking and kidnapping.

There is very limited tent space for women and children; the buildings they are currently housed in are not acceptable for the long term. It is hoped that the Social Services Department will provide more tents for them.