Indonesia to move boat-load of Sri Lanka migrants

Indonesiais likely on Monday to move scores of Sri Lankan migrants who have refused to leave their rickety boat for the past six months, the foreign ministry said.

 

 

“Most probably on Monday.... Wait for the details tomorrow,” foreign ministry official Sujatmiko told AFP when asked about the expected move.

 

 

He declined to say where the approximately 200 Tamil Sri Lankans camped at the port of Merak on Java island after they were intercepted in October bound for Australiawould be taken.

 

 

The migrants have said they are fleeing persecution in Sri Lankafollowing the end of a civil war pitting ethnic Tamils against majority Sinhalese.

 

 

It was previously believed they would be flown to a migrant detention facility on Galang island, near Singapore, but another foreign ministry spokesman, Faizasyah, said a team was studying several possible locations

 

 

“Wherever they are moved to, we’ll process their asylum application. That’s the commitment from the government and the UNHCR,” said Faizasyah, referring to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

 

 

The stand-off, along with a similar situation last year involving an Australian customs vessel off Indonesia’s Bintan island to the north, has fuelled intense political debate in Australiaover refugee policy.

 

 

Last year saw a dramatic rise in asylum seekers arriving in Australia’s remote north, helped by Indonesia-based smugglers.

 

 

Indonesialast Monday backed Australia’s decision to stop processing asylum seekers from Afghanistanand Sri Lanka, saying it would be “positive” for the region’s fight against trafficking.

^AFP