Anti-Rohingya protesters storm a refugee shelter in Aceh province, demanding the deportation of Rohingya Muslims. The attack has raised concerns about the safety of the Rohingya minority in Indonesia.
In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, a group of university students stormed a convention center on Wednesday, where Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were temporarily housed. The protesters wearing green jackets, demanded the deportation of the Rohingya refugees. They have faced increasing hostility and rejection in Indonesia. These anti-Rohingya protesters are making a stir in the nationwide call.
Local frustration has grown as more boats carrying Rohingya refugees arrive in the country. The refugees, facing persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, were seated on the floor in the convention center’s basement when the protesters entered. Authorities subsequently led the Rohingya out of the building and transported them to alternative shelters in trucks.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has attributed the surge in arrivals to human trafficking and pledged to collaborate with international organizations to provide temporary shelter. The influx of Rohingya refugees typically peaks between November and April when the seas are calmer. It prompted them to take boats to neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.
During a protest rally in Banda Aceh, Wariza Anis Munandar, a 23-year-old student, called for the deportation of the Rohingya. Another student, 20-year-old Della Masrida, expressed the sentiment that the Rohingya “came here uninvited” and “feel like it is their country.”
The incident drew concern from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR). A spokesperson stated earlier this month that the agency was “alarmed” by reports of rejection in Indonesia. Indonesia, although not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees. Still, Indonesia has a history of accepting refugees who arrive in the country.
The Rohingya are a Muslim group who have faced persecution and violence in their home country of Myanmar. Many have fled to neighboring countries like Indonesia, seeking safety and refuge. In Aceh, hundreds of Rohingya live in shelters while waiting for resettlement or to return home.
As the Rohingya continue to leave Myanmar, where they face denial of citizenship and abuse, the situation highlights the challenges faced by both refugees and host countries in addressing the humanitarian crisis.
