The influx of Rohingya Muslims fleeing from Myanmar has been steadily rising across Southeast Asian shores, with hundreds of them still stranded at sea without food and water. Despite calls from the UN to accommodate these refugees, while some have been allowed to land, Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian governments have decided to not allow asylum to the migrants, in fear of uncontrollable numbers seeking shelter.
The Hungry Crew
Several boats carrying a staggering number of migrants have been towed away, after they arrived on Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai ports and harbours. This video by BBC News shows one of the several boats stranded at sea, carrying about 150 people who have been sending out distress signals and calls of plea demanding food and water. A lot of these people have been reported to be surviving by consuming their own urine, while several are suspected to have died.
Waiting for an Absolution
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was “alarmed by reports that some countries may be refusing entry to boats carrying refugees and migrants,” according to a statement from his office on Thursday. Ban urged governments in the region to “facilitate timely disembarkation and keep their borders and ports open in order to help the vulnerable people who are in need.”
One can only hope that there will be swift diplomatic solutions to the Rohingya situation, and these migrants will finally be allowed their right to live. Till then hundreds are still riding the waves, hungry and thirsty, waiting for an absolution.
(With inputs from AP and Reuters)
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