Rohingya Boat Capsizes Near Indonesia
The Facts
A boat carrying 150 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar capsized off Indonesia's Aceh coast last week, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS Aceh) said on March 21. It is reported that 69 of those aboard were rescued.
Rescuers faced challenges, as refugees clambered aboard fishing boats that arrived at the scene, causing them to become overloaded and also capsize.
The Spin
Narrative A
Rohingya refugees' dire situation demands urgent action. While neighboring nations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia bear some responsibility, what's key is the tribe's status in its native Myanmar. The Myanmarese government's actions exacerbate the Rohingyas' plight, putting them more and more at the mercy of criminal networks. Anti-Muslim sentiment and the policies behind it require urgent upending.
Narrative B
Governments in the region have absolutely failed to provide adequate assistance to Rohingya refugees fleeing Bangladesh and Myanmar. This is the moment for collective action, in line with international law. ASEAN and Bali Process members must prioritize cooperation and accountability to end the cycle of suffering endured by the Rohingya.
