However, it supplications continue to be ignored.
“This shocking and tragic ordeal must not continue,” speak Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCRRegional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
“These are human beings – men, women and children,” he added.
Clarify the situation
Reports indicate that they have been at sea in harsh conditions for a month, lacking food or water, and without any effort from any country in the region to help.
Many were women and children, with reports of up to 20 deaths on the ship ineligible during the journey.
“We need to see countries in the region help save lives and not let people die,” Mr. Ratwatte stressed.
a month has passed
Since the first reports of the ship being sighted in Thai waters, UNHCR has received unverified information about the ship being spotted near Indonesia and later off the Andaman Islands. and Nicobar of India.
Its current position is thought to be again to the east, on the Andaman Sea north of Aceh.
UNHCR has repeatedly asked all countries in the region to give priority to saving lives and asked the Indian maritime rescue center earlier this week to allow those to disembark.
UNHCR’s Ratwatte added: “It is heartbreaking to hear that many people have lost their lives, including children.”
Year of death at sea
The UNHCR is difficult to verify, but if true, the number of deaths and disappearances in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea recorded this year alone has reached nearly 200 people.
All countries have a responsibility to rescue those on board and allow them to safely disembark in the name of humanity, the UNHCR stated.
Meanwhile, the shocking figure represents about 10 per cent of the estimated 2,000 people who have undertaken adventurous sea voyages in the region since January.
“Sadly, this has been one of the deadliest years at sea in the region,” the UNHCR director lamented.
Salty tears
Yesterday, independent UN-appointed human rights expert Tom Andrews released a statement urges Governments to “immediately and urgently coordinate the search and rescue of this boat and ensure the safety of those on board before any further loss of life occurs”.
“While many people around the world are preparing to enjoy a holiday and welcome a new year, the boats are desperate. Rohingya men, women and children, are embarking on a perilous journey on unseaworthy ships,” said the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar.
In a plea to all Governments in the region for “a more humane regional response” to those fleeing the brutal violence of the junta, including the Rohingya, Mr Andrews called for “an absolute moratorium on any order of deportation or repulsion to Myanmar” as well as the harmonized search and rescue of people at sea.
dangerous journey
The UN expert said it was just the latest in a series of dangerous journeys.
Two weeks ago, a Vietnamese oil company ship en route to Myanmar rescued a sunken boat with 154 Rohingya refugees on board.
“When they got close to Myanmar waters, they were said to have handed the group over to the Myanmar authorities,” he recounted.
“There are reports that those on board have been detained in Myanmar and may now face criminal charges.”
And last weekend, the Sri Lankan Navy rescued a third fishing boat in distress, carrying 104 Rohingya, including many children, some unaccompanied.
“The international community must step forward and support the parties in the region to come up with lasting solutions for the Rohingya people,” Mr. Andrews said.
Special Rapporteur and independent experts appointed by the UN based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
