Asian nations must help save migrants at sea: US

[webfact]

Asian nations must help save migrants at sea: US
AFP

WASHINGTON: -- The United States on Thursday urged Southeast Asian nations to work together to save hundreds of migrants abandoned by people smugglers in rickety boats adrift in the Andaman Sea.

"We are concerned about the situation and we urge countries of the region to work together to save lives at sea," a State Department spokesman, Jeff Rathke, said.

US ambassadors in region were coordinating with UN agencies and with the Asian governments who have refused entry to the desperate migrants to "discuss ways of providing assistance."

"There are many lives that are in danger, and that's why we think the priority has to be save lives, and we urge governments to continue to accommodate these people who are on the seas," Rathke told reporters.

A boat crammed with scores of the persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority from Myanmar, including many young children, was found drifting in Thai waters Thursday as Malaysia turned away two other vessels carrying hundreds of migrants.

Malaysia and Indonesia have vowed to bar ships bearing migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh who are flooding into Southeast Asia.

But UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged Southeast Asian countries not to turn back the migrants, telling them that rescue at sea was an international obligation.

Rathke stressed it was "an urgent regional challenge, that needs to be addressed regionally through a coordinated international effort, in accordance with international conventions and with maritime law."

Washington "appreciated" that some governments in the region have taken in many refugees, and welcomed plans by Thailand for a regional conference on the issue on May 29.

But Rathke also called on Myanmar to meet an "urgent need to fulfil commitments to improve the living conditions of those affected .. in Rakhine state."

An estimated 1.3 million Rohingya scratch out an existence in Rakhine, one of Myanmar's poorest states -- tens of thousands are trapped in displacement camps, with conditions outside often worse.

Deputy Secretary Tony Blinken was meeting Thursday with the ambassadors from Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar for previously scheduled talks but would raise the migrant crisis, Rathke said.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-05-15

[steven100]

'But UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged Southeast Asian countries not to turn back the migrants, telling them that rescue at sea was an international obligation.'

yes Mr Ban Ki-moon .... sure, what ever you say sir ......

This guy should just carry a voice recording around with him wherever he goes and play it to the audience who care to listen ....

[Scott]

There are international laws concerning rescuing people at sea. I don't know how this affects the countries that won't let them land, but even cargo ships are required to assist those in distress on the high seas.

We may have posters who know a little more about how this works, but I do recall when I worked with Vietnamese refugees that a boat full of people, of which most had died, was eventually rescued by a cargo ship. They had been passed up by another boat and the authorities were trying to identify the ship that had not rescued them because it contravened international law.

[oneday]

He's wasting his breath. Southeast Asian countries have yet to grow up and join humanity. They are not going to lift a finger to help these people.

[shirtless]

If it has a cost attached it will never happen the UN is full of hot air ,

[Toscano]

Southeast Asian countries have enough to do to support themselves and their own people , without having to take in Thousands , uneducated , illiterate , unskilled people , of a strict muslim sect , that will never integrate and will be dependent on the state for support .

The UN and Human Rights officials should send ships to rescue these people and repatriate them to Mayanmar .

Huge waves of illegal migrants invading other countries has got to be stopped . Decent people in civilized countries will not tollerate their countries being swamped by unwanted humanity , that will not integrate , that will try to impose their primitive customs and sharia law .

[Jeffreyake]

can somebody tell me why the issue with migrants in Andaman sea is the business of US?!

who the hell they think they are to trying to force independent governments to do something that is against people's interest?!

[Scott]

As a very general rule, returning them to Myanmar is an option, especially if the alternative is to die at sea. The difficulty is that Myanmar does not consider them to be citizens and is under no obligation to take them back.

Even amongst the Vietnamese refugees who were not screened in and were to be returned to Vietnam, some were refused because they were ethnic Chinese and the Vietnamese gov't didn't recognize them as citizens of Vietnam. The Chinese also did not want them.

[geriatrickid]

There are international laws concerning rescuing people at sea. I don't know how this affects the countries that won't let them land, but even cargo ships are required to assist those in distress on the high seas.

We may have posters who know a little more about how this works, but I do recall when I worked with Vietnamese refugees that a boat full of people, of which most had died, was eventually rescued by a cargo ship. They had been passed up by another boat and the authorities were trying to identify the ship that had not rescued them because it contravened international law.

One good thing that came of the Vietnamese boat people tragedy is that the Thai based pirates who preyed upon those poor souls were eventually stopped. Today, while there is still exploitation of refugees and economic migrants, at least the pirates are no longer a factor.

[Dexlowe]

As a very general rule, returning them to Myanmar is an option, especially if the alternative is to die at sea. The difficulty is that Myanmar does not consider them to be citizens and is under no obligation to take them back.

Even amongst the Vietnamese refugees who were not screened in and were to be returned to Vietnam, some were refused because they were ethnic Chinese and the Vietnamese gov't didn't recognize them as citizens of Vietnam. The Chinese also did not want them.

"The Chinese also did not want them."

So what eventually happened to them? Does their fate offer any lessons for this terrible situation?

[geriatrickid]

can somebody tell me why the issue with migrants in Andaman sea is the business of US?!

who the hell they think they are to trying to force independent governments to do something that is against people's interest?!

As the largest provider of funds for the UN refugee program and as a party to the 1967 Protocol on Refugees the USA has an obligation to speak out.

The US position is consistent with statements already made by other parties to that protocol. The US position is no different than that already made by many other countries. The USA is also a large funder of social development programs in the region and the burden of caring for the refugees will run up a large cost, a cost that the SE Asian countries will try and dump on the UN. The UN will then demand that the developed world pay the costs.

[Baerboxer]

Note the headline uses the word "must" - giving the impression that the US is telling or ordering something.

Then in the article the Americans actually use "urge". Big difference in the way the Americans could be perceived from changing that word. Whether intentional or just sloppy we'll never know.

[Baerboxer]

can somebody tell me why the issue with migrants in Andaman sea is the business of US?!

who the hell they think they are to trying to force independent governments to do something that is against people's interest?!

Note the Americans use the word "urge" in their statement. They aren't trying to force anyone. But, maybe they hope the fact they donate large amounts in aid to some countries gives them the opportunity to try and influence,

[Jeffreyake]

can somebody tell me why the issue with migrants in Andaman sea is the business of US?!

who the hell they think they are to trying to force independent governments to do something that is against people's interest?!

As the largest provider of funds for the UN refugee program and as a party to the 1967 Protocol on Refugees the USA has an obligation to speak out.

The US position is consistent with statements already made by other parties to that protocol. The US position is no different than that already made by many other countries. The USA is also a large funder of social development programs in the region and the burden of caring for the refugees will run up a large cost, a cost that the SE Asian countries will try and dump on the UN. The UN will then demand that the developed world pay the costs.

the fact that US pays (by freshly printed green paper) for it's own programs does not give the right to interfere in Independent nations affairs.

That's why so many countries spend billions for nuclear programs - to keep US - international bully in its borders.

all "development programs" for refugees is the initiative of the US. so why other nations should spend even one baht on them?! ridiculous

"Note the headline uses the word "must" - giving the impression that the US is telling or ordering something.

Then in the article the Americans actually use "urge"."

it's just words. but the idea is the same - to force independent governments to do what them and their people don't want to do.

[Expat1]

If the US is so concerned perhaps they should send that expensive navy that spends an inordinate amount of money sailing around out there to pickup these boat people and take them back to America and deposit them there with all the other millions of other immigrants streaming in and give them accommodation, food and an education for free and force their poor overburdened citizen taxpayers to foot the bill. That way they can really show how noble they are.

[BuaBS]

One place they are very welcome is in the Islamic Caliphate. The ISIS guys urge muslims to come and join them. Put the Rohingya on an empty oil tanker returning to Iraq .

[Berkshire]

He's wasting his breath. Southeast Asian countries have yet to grow up and join humanity. They are not going to lift a finger to help these people.

Is your home country willing to take them? I didn't think so.

[Scott]

As a very general rule, returning them to Myanmar is an option, especially if the alternative is to die at sea. The difficulty is that Myanmar does not consider them to be citizens and is under no obligation to take them back.

Even amongst the Vietnamese refugees who were not screened in and were to be returned to Vietnam, some were refused because they were ethnic Chinese and the Vietnamese gov't didn't recognize them as citizens of Vietnam. The Chinese also did not want them.

"The Chinese also did not want them."

So what eventually happened to them? Does their fate offer any lessons for this terrible situation?

There probably isn't a lesson to be learned. The numbers were relatively small and I believe that they were taken in by HK, since the language they spoke was Cantonese (and the refugee camps I am referring to were in HK).

With some refugees when they emptied the camps the less desirable ones were divided amongst countries just to get the camps closed. A few countries realized it was cheaper to take them than to continue to fund the operation of the camps.

But before getting to that point, there was a lot of pressure put on Vietnam to improve it's human rights record and there were agreements in place that returnees would be assisted, helped and monitored to make sure they were not facing discrimination or persecution.

These things are always tricky since it was a poor country, so when you help those who had fled and returned, but not the local population, then you create animosity. With the Rohingyas, it is going to be very delicate because if programs are set up to help them in Burma and they are allowed to return, then the other ethnic groups will be jealous.

The problem for this particular group is there really isn't any country that is interested in resettling them. There is basically a sort of 'refugee fatigue' that is affecting what little good will there is for others.

[Jonmarleesco]

'... Ban Ki-moon ... urged Southeast Asian countries not to turn back the migrants, telling them that rescue at sea was an international obligation.' Just like Europe. The problem, as I'm sure Mr Ki-moon is acutely aware, is that the more that are taken in, the more that attempt it. What it needs is global action against the smugglers who are all too often involved.

[ggt]

can somebody tell me why the issue with migrants in Andaman sea is the business of US?!

who the hell they think they are to trying to force independent governments to do something that is against people's interest?!

Jeffrey my boy...the humanitarian treatment of all people is an important issue for the world today...the US is concerned...rightfully so...that these people will die a terrible death at sea...starving to death...killing each other over the remaining food stores...and bringing an end to their already miserable existence...

This question MUST be raised and addressed by the world community...Thailand happens to have a crisis on its shores...thus the US is showing concern for the treatment of disposed people...

Where is your compassion?

[boomerangutang]

How about some boats along the Andaman coast, stock up on water bottles and travel out to hand them out?

At the beginning of WWII, there was a rag-tag flotilla of personally owned boats which went right away from the English coast (Dover?) to the Dutch coast to pick up soldiers who were facing death. Those boats didn't wait for an official nod to do so. Granted, it was a different scenario, but the similarity to today's scenario is: hundreds of people are facing death.

Most have been out there for weeks, and will die en masse if forced to stay away for additional weeks. They probably don't even have a means to propel the boats they're crammed upon. Already some are dying and being tossed aside.

Besides water bottles, bring some sort of food, even if it's just dried rice cakes. I'd suggest bringing some fishing rods, but those waters are already over-fished.

With a bit of water and nourishment, and perhaps some petrol for their motors, some of those decrepit boats may be able to get back, at least to an island at southern Burma - and get a slight better chance of survival.

Judging from the photo in this morning's newspaper, the ratio of those stranded at sea looks to be: 85% young men, 10% women, 5% children.

They're also in need of protection from the sun. Just a bit of cloth, per person, would help a bit.

If you have a boat and are open to doing it, let me know. I'm low income, but would donate a few thousand baht toward what I mentioned above.

[2fishin2]

Past day or so Ive really become disgusted with many TV members. They talk all kind of smack about Thais and honestly the words that come out their mouths about this humanitarian issue is unbelievable. Id like to invite all the trash talkers go and live with the poor unfortunate people for a few weeks in one of those boats. Hell Id pay for their tickets

[ThaiUser]

As a very general rule, returning them to Myanmar is an option, especially if the alternative is to die at sea. The difficulty is that Myanmar does not consider them to be citizens and is under no obligation to take them back.

Even amongst the Vietnamese refugees who were not screened in and were to be returned to Vietnam, some were refused because they were ethnic Chinese and the Vietnamese gov't didn't recognize them as citizens of Vietnam. The Chinese also did not want them.

Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_Relating_to_the_Status_of_Stateless_Persons

It might explain why Hong Kong took some of the Vietnamese refugees. Hong Kong is a party to that convention, unfortunately Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Burma are not or there wouldn’t be a problem.

[Scott]

Thanks for the link and some other information you sent me. It is well known that Thailand is not a signatory to the conventions, but over the years, Thailand has shown a great deal of compassion in caring for refugees. Many thousands of Vietnamese went through Thailand and there were many Laotians (especially Hmong) and Cambodians housed on Thai soil for many years.

Of course, those fleeing the aftermath of the Vietnamese war had the attention of Western countries and a significant amount of money was sent to assist in housing, feeding and caring for these people. There was also the reasonable expectation that the stay in Thailand (and other regional countries) would be reasonably temporary.

The goodwill in the region is largely lacking for the Rohingyas. They are not the victims of war and western countries are not interested in rescuing them from their oppressive situation. If they are granted temporary entrance and held in detention, they could be here a very, very long time.

Any attempt at a solution will have to have the involvement of the UNHCR and the cooperation of ASEAN. ASEAN is in the best position to help pressure Myanmar into improving the situation to prevent the continued exodus.

Although it is understandable why regional countries have reached the point of being so inhumane as to not allow the boats to land, it also has to be understood that a number of countries have taken full advantage of these people up until recently. The mass graves, the known extortion rackets and the involvement of government officials is probably the tip of the iceberg. They have also provided a cheap and illegal source of labor. They have now outlived their usefulness to the nations in the region.

It may be understandable as to why countries do not want to assist, but it still needs to be remembered it is inhumane and that the lives of a lot of people are at stake.

[boomerangutang]

In the big picture of things, ASEAN members can sit in their stuffed chairs around a polished table and sip iced tea, but meanwhile, each minute that passes, is a minute closer to death for the huddled masses floating offshore. ASEAN are masters of inaction/inertia. They should change their acronym to: ASEANA (Association of South-East Asian Non-Activists). Here's what they're thinking while sitting around the table: "Where's the nearest golf course?" "When's lunch?"

[cookee68]

It is getting out of control now and is slowly becoming a free for all, turn them back and after a while they will learn this and stop coming, at the moment it is becoming a joke, and the kids are being used for the sympathy vote from people.

[simple1]

I don't notice Mr.Ki-Moon's country of Korea rushing to help. They don't want a lot of uneducated, hangers-on in their economy either. Especially at the rate the Rohingyas breed.

Just as a bit of a heads up, Rohingya have very restricted access to education, require permission from the State to marry and subject to a government policy of two children per family

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/06/21/burma-s-bluff-two-child-policy-rohingyas

Edited May 15, 2015 by simple1

[seedy]

one racist post - and a reply to it - removed

post similar in the future and you will be suspended

[Jeffreyake]

Rohingya use children to manipulate public opinion, same as Hamas in Gaza sector install there rockets in residential area.

beggars on streets like to show there starving kids also...

[manarak]

Thanks for the link and some other information you sent me. It is well known that Thailand is not a signatory to the conventions, but over the years, Thailand has shown a great deal of compassion in caring for refugees. Many thousands of Vietnamese went through Thailand and there were many Laotians (especially Hmong) and Cambodians housed on Thai soil for many years.

Of course, those fleeing the aftermath of the Vietnamese war had the attention of Western countries and a significant amount of money was sent to assist in housing, feeding and caring for these people. There was also the reasonable expectation that the stay in Thailand (and other regional countries) would be reasonably temporary.

The goodwill in the region is largely lacking for the Rohingyas. They are not the victims of war and western countries are not interested in rescuing them from their oppressive situation. If they are granted temporary entrance and held in detention, they could be here a very, very long time.

Any attempt at a solution will have to have the involvement of the UNHCR and the cooperation of ASEAN. ASEAN is in the best position to help pressure Myanmar into improving the situation to prevent the continued exodus.

Although it is understandable why regional countries have reached the point of being so inhumane as to not allow the boats to land, it also has to be understood that a number of countries have taken full advantage of these people up until recently. The mass graves, the known extortion rackets and the involvement of government officials is probably the tip of the iceberg. They have also provided a cheap and illegal source of labor. They have now outlived their usefulness to the nations in the region.

It may be understandable as to why countries do not want to assist, but it still needs to be remembered it is inhumane and that the lives of a lot of people are at stake.

yes, but the lives at stake are the lives of people who are a threat to Thai national security.

Also, the situation in Burma can be easily understood by reading the Wikipedia page about the Rohingya:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohingya_people

They are an ethnic group with different culture, different language and different religion that expands very fast due to an uncontrolled birth rate.

It is understandable that Burma doesn't want to see whole regions being taken over by what effectively is a foreign nationality.

So... once they have been rescued... where to disembark them?

Edited May 15, 2015 by manarak