TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The UN has estimated around 1,300 out of 60,000 illegal immigrants have died or lost at sea during 2012 and 2013. However, the number could be higher as more illegal immigrants may not be discovered.
To face this challenge, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) held an international workshop called "Perlindungan dalam Perpindahan Ireguler Orang-orang Melalui Laut" (Protection in Irregular Movement of People Through the Sea) in Jakarta on April 21 and 22. The workshop was attended by 14 Asia-Pacific countries, which are home countries, transit countries and destination countries.
Other than Indonesia and UNHCR, other countries present were Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Iran, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand and International Organization for Migration (IOM). Representatives from Iraq, Fiji and UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) were also present as observers.
The 14 countries have agreed to intensify efforts to reduce the number of deaths at sea and ensure that people travelling on boats receive protection.
"There needs to be multilateral and regional cooperation to overcome emergency and complex challenges from mixed maritime movements in a more humane way," said James Lynch, UNHCR coordinator for Southeast Asia.
Indonesia often becomes a transit country for immigrants reaching to Australia. Indonesian Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa, stressed the importance of humane approach for the illegal immigrants.
"Border traffic and complexity of irregular movement need an approach in national, regional and global level," said Minister Marty.
The workshop’s recommendation will be delivered in "Dialog tentang Perlindungan di Laut"(Dialogue on Protection at Sea) that will be held by UNHCR High Commissioner in December.
NATALIA SANTI
