Antara News, 02/27/09
Hua Hin, Thailand (ANTARA News) - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urged Southeast Asian nations hit by an influx of boat people from Myanmar to be "firm" and turn back the migrants, a report said Friday.
Abdullah`s comments were published in the Bangkok Post a day after human rights groups urged Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders meeting in Thailand this weekend to put the issue at the top of the agenda.
The issue of the Muslim Rohingya refugees has vexed the regional bloc since reports emerged last month alleging that Thailand`s army had towed hundreds of them out to sea in barges after they had washed up on Thai beaches.
Many were rescued in Indonesian and Indian waters, but rights groups fear that scores died.
"We have to be very firm in dealing with this situation. If we are not, then all of us will have a problem," Abdullah was quoted as saying.
"We have to turn them back."
Malaysia is one of the main destinations for Rohingyas fleeing poverty and oppression in military-ruled Myanmar, although many of the boat people land in Thailand first and try to cross over by land.
Abdullah said that the issue was causing tensions between ASEAN members and
had to be resolved.
"We feel that they are being pushed onto us instead of Thailand accommodating them somehow," he said, adding that many then went on to Indonesia.
"When they come to us of course we know they come from Myanmar. When we ask
Myanmar, they ask: `Are you sure they are our people? What evidence have you
got?`"
ASEAN foreign ministers informally discussed the issue for the first time on Thursday at their annual summit in the Thai beach resort of Hua Hin but full talks will not take place until April, an official said.
"There was a discussion on the Rohingyas, that it is a regional issue that would need a regional approach and regional efforts and cooperation to solve this problem," ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said.
He said they would formally discuss the issue at a meeting of the so-called "Bali Process" regional forum against people-smuggling on April 14-15 on the Indonesian island.
"ASEAN will very much want to help resolve this problem within the framework of the Bali process," Surin, a former Thai foreign minister, was quoted by AFP as telling reporters. The meeting was previously due to happen in March.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said in statements on Thursday
that the summit must address the rights of refugees and migrants, in particular
Myanmar`s Rohingya boat people.
Thailand denies mistreating the Rohingya, insisting that they are economic migrants rather than refugees. (*)
Hua Hin, Thailand (ANTARA News) - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urged Southeast Asian nations hit by an influx of boat people from Myanmar to be "firm" and turn back the migrants, a report said Friday.
Abdullah`s comments were published in the Bangkok Post a day after human rights groups urged Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders meeting in Thailand this weekend to put the issue at the top of the agenda.
The issue of the Muslim Rohingya refugees has vexed the regional bloc since reports emerged last month alleging that Thailand`s army had towed hundreds of them out to sea in barges after they had washed up on Thai beaches.
Many were rescued in Indonesian and Indian waters, but rights groups fear that scores died.
"We have to be very firm in dealing with this situation. If we are not, then all of us will have a problem," Abdullah was quoted as saying.
"We have to turn them back."
Malaysia is one of the main destinations for Rohingyas fleeing poverty and oppression in military-ruled Myanmar, although many of the boat people land in Thailand first and try to cross over by land.
Abdullah said that the issue was causing tensions between ASEAN members and
had to be resolved.
"We feel that they are being pushed onto us instead of Thailand accommodating them somehow," he said, adding that many then went on to Indonesia.
"When they come to us of course we know they come from Myanmar. When we ask
Myanmar, they ask: `Are you sure they are our people? What evidence have you
got?`"
ASEAN foreign ministers informally discussed the issue for the first time on Thursday at their annual summit in the Thai beach resort of Hua Hin but full talks will not take place until April, an official said.
"There was a discussion on the Rohingyas, that it is a regional issue that would need a regional approach and regional efforts and cooperation to solve this problem," ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said.
He said they would formally discuss the issue at a meeting of the so-called "Bali Process" regional forum against people-smuggling on April 14-15 on the Indonesian island.
"ASEAN will very much want to help resolve this problem within the framework of the Bali process," Surin, a former Thai foreign minister, was quoted by AFP as telling reporters. The meeting was previously due to happen in March.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said in statements on Thursday
that the summit must address the rights of refugees and migrants, in particular
Myanmar`s Rohingya boat people.
Thailand denies mistreating the Rohingya, insisting that they are economic migrants rather than refugees. (*)
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