UPDATE: 85 Lankan asylum seekers detained in Indonesia

^{‘WE NEED NEW ZEALAND’: Asylum seekers from Sri Lanka on a ship in Bintan island hold up signs saying they want to go to New Zealand. (Pic courtesy: Reuters)}

About 85 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, apparently on their way to New Zealand, have been detained by Indonesian police and are refusing to abandon ship, foreign media reported today.

 

It is understood the ship is anchored in the waters of Tanjung Pinang, after it was stopped at Bintan Island, Riau, on Saturday.

 

Reuters photographs show the refugees holding up signs that read: “We need New Zealand”.

 

Freelance photojournalist Yuli Seperi said the immigrants did not want to abandon the ship and were asking the

 

United Nations to help them reach New Zealand.

 

“We’re going to New Zealand, please help us,” cried some refugees, according to Seperi.

 

“We are not illegal immigrants, but refugees who will leave for New Zealand,” asylum seeker Romance Radan told Seperi.

 

Another refugee from the boat, who had been living in Malaysia for two years, told Seperi that his family had been killed in Sri Lanka. “Better I die here if asked to come down from the ship.”

 

It is understood representatives from the International Migration Organisation and Tanjung Pinang immigration were negotiating with them.

 

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were aware of the ship, but would not provide further information. _{(Stuff.co.nz)}

Lankan asylum seekers “not welcome” in NZ: PM  

 

Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key says the 85 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who have been detained on their way to New Zealand are “not welcome”.

 

The asylum seekers were detained by Indonesian police and have been anchored in the waters of Tanjung Pinang since Saturday. They are reportedly refusing to abandon ship.

 

Passengers on board the ship have been photographed holding signs reading “We like to go to New Zealand”, “Our future life is in New Zealand” and “We need New Zealand”.

 

John Key said that he was aware of the asylum seekers’ situation, but that New Zealand would not be helping.

 

“I understand that some of those asylum seekers are holding flags or signs that say they might want to come to New Zealand, and our very simple message to them is they are not welcome.

 

“It confirms what I’ve been saying for some time; it’s only a matter of time before large vessels, steel hulled vessels capable of navigating their way to New Zealand or Canberra or far away parts of the world, would try and make their way here,” says Mr Key.

 

The boat’s passengers claim that they are not illegal immigrants but refugees who need New Zealand’s help. They have also requested the assistance of the United Nations, reports New Zealand’s3News.