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November 11, 2024 | 10:04 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 152 Rohingya refugees finally returned to South Aceh after being rejected in Banda Aceh. The refugees from the conflict areas in Myanmar were previously relocated from South Aceh by the local government, approximately two weeks after they landed in the regency.
According to the Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Aceh, Azharul Husna, the refugees returned to South Aceh after the authorities in Banda Aceh refused to accommodate them. The refugees had to travel hundreds of kilometers back using trucks.
"Currently, they are being sheltered at the GOR Tapaktuan Sport Center in South Aceh," Husna said over the phone on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Prior to this, the South Aceh District Government attempted to transfer the refugees to Banda Aceh on November 6-7, 2024. "The South Aceh Regency brought the refugees to Banda Aceh after their area became the landing site for the refugees," said Husna.
The refugees had to travel approximately 335 kilometers from South Aceh to Banda Aceh. Hundreds of refugees traveled by truck escorted by the South Aceh District Government and police.
Before the relocation, Husna mentioned that the Aceh Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights had promised to relocate the Rohingya refugees to Lhokseumawe after temporarily accommodating them in South Aceh. However, this statement was refuted by the Lhokseumawe City Government, which said there was no coordination regarding the relocation.
The South Aceh District Government decided to move the Rohingya refugees to Banda Aceh as they had not received instructions from the authorities in Aceh Province. "After giving approximately two weeks since the landing, the data collection and coordination did not occur, so the South Aceh District Government brought the refugees to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, which oversees immigration in the capital of Aceh Province, Banda Aceh," Husna stated.
However, the refugees ended up stranded in Banda Aceh. Husna stated that the local government authorities seemed to pass the responsibility to each other as they did not want to accommodate the refugees.
With no certainty, the refugees continued to wait in the truck. Husna mentioned that the refugees were not allowed to get off the truck while in Banda Aceh due to lack of permission or incomplete administrative procedures.
During their detention, the refugees in the truck were exposed to the elements and only protected by tarpaulins to shield themselves from the hot weather. Husna deplored the inhumane conditions.
"They did not receive basic rights to food, water, or even worship," said Husna.
They also did not have access to toilets. The refugees were only allowed to briefly get off to relieve themselves in roadside ditches.
According to Husna, the refugees received assistance with water, food, and snacks from several civil society organizations. However, the aid was limited, causing the refugees to lack water.
Among the 152 Rohingya refugees, Husna mentioned there were at least 3 pregnant women and over 80 children and women. They were detained in Banda Aceh until the evening of November 7, 2024.
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