An Update on the Situation of Rohingya Refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia

Media Advisory, March 8, 2016

“Everywhere is Trouble”

An Update on the Situation of Rohingya Refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia

In May 2015, human traffickers abandoned boats of thousands of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals coming from Myanmar’s Rakhine State and Bangladesh, leaving them adrift in the Andaman Sea. Instead of initiating search and rescue efforts, key countries in the region reinforced their borders and intercepted and towed stranded boats farther out to sea. After international outcry, some member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to allow disembarkation and provide temporary shelter to survivors. ASEAN’s failure to prioritize protection led to an unknown loss of life at sea.

Almost ten months later, the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) and Fortify Rights traveled to Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesiafrom February 15 to March 9 to assess the situation of Rohingya refugees in each country. Representatives from the organizations met with government officials, United Nations officials, and nongovernmental organizations; visited Immigration Detention Facilities, government-operated shelters, and refugee camps; and conducted interviews with Rohingya refugees. Meetings and travel in Indonesia were in partnership with the Geutanyoe Foundation.

At 10am on Friday, March 11, BROUK and Fortify Rights will publish a briefing at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand to share their findings, observations, and recommendations. A Q&A session will follow brief presentations.

Featured speakers will be:

Mr. Tun Khin, President,Burmese Rohingya Organization UK

Ms. Amy Smith, Executive Director, Fortify Rights

Mr. Matthew Smith, Executive Director, Fortify Rights

Ms. Lilianne Fan, International Director, Geutanyoe Foundation

For more information, please contact:

Matthew Smith, Executive Director, Fortify Rights, +66 (0) 85.028.0044, 

matthew.smith@fortifyrights.org; Twitter: @matthewfsmith, @fortifyrights

Amy Smith, Executive Director, Fortify Rights,+66 (0) 87.795.5454, 

amy.smith@fortifyrights.org; Twitter: @AmyAlexSmith, @fortifyrights

Tun Khin, President, BurmeseRohingya Organization UK,+66 (0)91.731.4164,

tunkhin80@gmail.com; Twitter: @tunkhin80

Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand

Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building

518/5 Ploenchit Road (connected to the BTS SkytrainChitlom station)

Patumwan, Bangkok 10330

Tel.: 02-652-0580

E-mail:info@fccthai.com

Website:http://www.fccthai.com