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Tamil Refugees Suffer in Prison-like Conditions

May 10, 2010

Over one hundred Tamil asylum seekers have recently been detained in Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia. These are the same Tamils who were stranded on a boat off the coast of Merak, Indonesia for seven months. These Tamils, being held and treated like criminals in a prison-like facility, have suffered since October 2009.

Family members have been separated, and even the children are forced to remain in prison cells 24 hours a day. There is little privacy as cells are shared by many strangers. The unhealthy conditions in these overcrowded cells lend themselves to the spread of disease. The water, which is in poor supply, has raised doubts about its safety for human consumption. Additionally, the prison atmosphere has detrimental physical and mental effects and many of the Merak boat refugees are already suffering from intense depression and anxiety. The continued lack of sanitation and medical treatment is taking its toll on these refugees. Even more troubling is the fact that sick children are being denied access to medical facilities.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) authorities in Merak promised to house the Tamil asylum seekers in hostels. In light of this promise and the inhabitable conditions in the detention center in Tanjung Pinang, it is imperative that the Merak boat refugees are immediately transferred to a more suitable and safe location. I am also writing to ask that you pressure the Indonesia authorities to allow legal aid, human rights monitors, and other humanitarian organizations access to the Tamils in Tanjung Pinang. Please urge the Indonesian government to abide by international humanitarian laws by taking the aforementioned steps.

I appreciate all the work you are doing to help these Tamil asylum seekers find safe shelter. Please urge Indonesia to care for these Tamils in an appropriate manner by relocating them to hostels as promised by the IOM. Thank you for taking the time to address the human rights and needs of Tamil refugees in Tanjung Pinang.