The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA), the umbrella body of the peak Tamil associations in Australia and New Zealand, would like to bring to the attention of the Australasian public through the free media, and of both the Australian and New Zealand governments the following concerns, in regards to the plight of the forgotten Tamil Asylum Seekers on board the wooden vessel moored at the West Javan port of Merak in Indonesia for the past 11 weeks.
AFTA would like to vehemently condemn the negligence of the officials who were responsible for the tragic death of the 29 year old Tamil man, Jacob Christian on board the refugee boat at Merak, which was completely avoidable. According to the Tamil's spokesman, Sanjeev "Alex" Kuhendrarajah, the man had been vomiting blood for two days but authorities ignored his pleas to be taken to hospital until after he had a seizure on Wednesday night. "He was completely neglected by the IOM (International Organisation for Migration) and the Indonesian Navy," Alex told AAP from the boat in the west Javan port of Merak.
A young man looking for freedom,dignity and peace had to die this way , due to the negligence of few irresponsible officials in Indonesia. The Australian Rudd Government also should feel guilty about this tragedy as they have failed to resolve the stand off. According to the media reports, this boat was made to flee from the international waters into Indonesian waters by the actions of the Australian Navy. This was never denied by the Australian authorities, and it is on the request of the Australian Prime Minister that Indonesian President ordered his navy to take this boat into its custody.
o AFTA calls on the Indonesian President, His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to immediately let the media and authorised medical personnel to have access to this boat, with the permission of the Indonesian Navy, to avoid further tragedies like this on board this vessel.
o AFTA calls on the Australian Prime Minister to actively engage with the Indonesian President to find an amicable resettlement process for these Tamil Asylum Seekers, within the provisions available under the Refugee Convention. AFTA would like to request the Australian Opposition Leader to cooperate with our Prime Minister to show compassion and arrive at a bi-partisan solution to this crisis.
o AFTA also calls on the UN Secretray General to intervene in this matter as it involves three member countries; Sri Lanka, the source country, Indonesia being the transit country and Australia being the country of destination of these boat people.
o AFTA calls upon the free media to continue to highlight the plight of these helpless people to the civil society so that they could keep the pressure on the governments and the UN.
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