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UN appeals to Indonesia for Rohingya boat rescue

The call comes after a boat with more than 100 Rohingyas was spotted off the country’s coast late last week

The United Nations refugee agency has appealed to Indonesia’s government to rescue a boat languishing off its western coast packed with more than 100 Rohingya refugees including women and children.

The mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar, and thousands risk their lives each year on long and dangerous sea journeys to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

The boat, believed to be holding more than 100 refugees, had been anchored around four miles off the coast of Indonesia’s westernmost province Aceh but on Monday a relief boat pulled it to within one mile.

“UNHCR urgently appeals to the authorities to ensure rescue at sea and safe disembarkation for this desperate group,” said Faisal Rahman, UNHCR protection associate in Indonesia.

“UNHCR and partners stand ready to support and to provide much-needed assistance for these vulnerable people,” Rahman said in a statement late Monday.

Five Rohingya. . .

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