South East Asia: New Zealand engagement in ‘Boat people’ crisis summit an opportunity that must not be missed

Regional governments must take immediate action to save lives and address the root causes of the South East Asian migrant crisis, Amnesty International said, ahead of a key summit in Thailand today.

“The Bangkok summit is an opportunity to develop a genuine regional effort to address all the many dimensions of the crisis in line with international human rights law that must not be missed,” said Grant Bayldon, Executive Director at Amnesty International in New Zealand.

“We have seen thousands of people crammed onto boats with little or no food or water, while governments have been slow to provide shelter or other basic humanitarian assistance. There clearly needs to be immediate action.”

Amnesty International welcomes the news that the New Zealand government will be engaging in the summit via diplomatic representation.

“Engaging in this summit is the first step in recognising that there is a refugee crisis within our region that needs urgent attention,” said Grant Bayldon.

“However, this is a crisis that is a clear reminder of why New Zealand must do more for refugees by increasing the quota here at home.”

Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have taken crucial first steps by offering temporary humanitarian assistance and reversing appalling policies of turning back boats.

However, efforts must be stepped up to address all forms of migration while respecting human rights. Governments have a responsibility to ensure legal and safe routes of migration.

“Countries must develop a common set of policies to ensure that refugees and migrants – including people fleeing persecution - are protected, and not criminalized or simply left to fend for themselves,” said Grant Bayldon.

Representatives of 17 countries, including New Zealand are gathering in Bangkok today to discuss the current asylum seeker and migrant crisis in South East Asia. Approximately 3,500 people have over the past weeks landed in Malaysia and Indonesia or returned to Myanmar.

In an open letter this week, Amnesty International has urged governments to take immediate steps to address not only the current crisis, but also the underlying conditions that have caused it.

“The thousands who have landed in Malaysia and Indonesia must be ensured safety and dignity, including the shelter, food, water, clothing, health care and protection they need.

"Claims for asylum should be fairly processed and under no circumstances should people be returned to or sent to countries where their lives are at risk,” said Grant Bayldon.

“People should not be detained solely on the basis of their method of arrival in a country.

"Prolonged periods of detention and uncertainty have a damaging impact on asylum seekers’ mental health, as we have seen through Australia’s cruel refugee policies. South East Asian countries must not repeat these mistakes.”

Amnesty International is urging all governments to take immediate steps to address the root causes of the crisis, which are driving people to flee in the first place.

A large proportion of those fleeing by boat appear to be Muslim Rohingya, a minority that has faced decades of institutionalised discrimination in Myanmar.

Waves of violence between Muslims and Buddhists dating back to 2012 has left tens of thousands of people – mainly Rohingya – displaced in Rakhine state, where they live in camps in squalid conditions. Tens of thousands of others are believed to have fled across the Bay of Bengal by boat since the 2012 violence.

“Many thousands of Rohingya in Myanmar are desperate enough to risk their lives on dangerous boat journeys to escape the conditions they face at home. Myanmar’s response so far has been one of denial - even that the Rohingya even exist. This cannot be the basis on which to proceed,” said Grant Bayldon.

“The international community must urge Myanmar to end systemic discrimination against the Rohingya, starting with granting them citizenship and repealing all other discriminatory laws.”

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