“Don’t deport Rohingya refugees” MP Mujibur Rahman urges Sri Lanka president

It's been two weeks since over 100 Rohingya refugees were rescued by war-affected Tamil fishermen off the coast of Mullaitivu and whose fate is still unknown and in limbo.

Now, a senior MP representing the Colombo district, Mujibur Rahman has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka not to send them back to Myanmar where their lives are at stake.

The refugees including pregnant women and children were spotted when their rickety boat was adrift off the coast of Mullaitivu by the Tamil fishermen who initially rescued them and offered them food, water, and medicines while informing the local government officials.

Local Government Agent and other officials informed the police and the Sri Lankan Navy, who arrived subsequently. After an initial inspection, according to the Navy, since the boat was in a condition fit to steer, they accompanied it to Trincomalee harbor.

However, after the local Magistrate’s visit, they were ordered to be shifted to the Mirihana detention center but were turned back at Habarana allegedly based on instructions from the Immigration department.

Finally, the 103 refugees were transported to the Sri Lankan Air Force camp in Mullaitivu where they are currently lodged. Local journalists say although the fishermen who rescued them and the officials suggested they be offloaded in Mullaitivu and offered medical assistance before considering shifting them to other locations, that was not heeded.

The Navy was particular to ‘escort’ the boat to Trincomalee for over five hours by sea, whereas it can be reached by road in under an hour by road from Mullaitivu.

In his letter to the President, opposition MP Mujibur Rahman from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya has said the government’s decision to deport them back to Myanmar has come as a huge shock and such a plan should be given up.

Adding further in his letter the lawmaker has said, that these Rohingya refugees were forced to flee their country for fear of persecution and safety of life and their only hope was to seek political refuge in a safe country.

It’s a question about the safety and future of 103 people who are in deep distress amid continuing war and fleeing thousands of miles away fearing their safety he further said.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has also expressed concern about their well-being and safety.
Minister of Public Safety and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, a National list MP from the NPP and hailing from Kurunagela district has made it clear that the stand of the government is to send them back to Myanmar.

Ananda Wijepala further said a detailed list with their names and other details have been handed over to the government.

But MP Mujibur Rahman in his letter emphasized that such actions would endanger the lives of their relatives living in Myanmar.

“This will not only endanger the lives of these people but also their relatives and friends in Myanmar and that is our strong belief”.

He goes on to add sending them back would amount refoulement which is an international act gives protection to migrants fearing for their lives and will amount to breaching international laws and conventions.

According the UN Human Rights Commission; “Under international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other irreparable harm. This principle applies to all migrants at all times, irrespective of migration status”.

Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahaman in his letter to the President said under the new government, forcefully deporting the first batch of refugees is akin to pushing them into the ‘death trap’.

Any such action by the Sri Lankan government would tarnish the reputation of the country in the eyes of the international community, his letter warns.

“Sending the first batch of refugees under your regime would be like sending them to the gallows and would be seen as a black mark in front of the nations around the globe”.

Mujibur Rahman recalled the President’s maiden speech after taking over office that he would heal the scars of the people who were affected by ethnic strife who came from blood-soaked land and an individual who had faced state oppression. After saying so taking a decision to send back them is not in tune with what he said in his speech, the MP's letter further says:

“You come from a party whose members were forced to live underground for many decades and now being its leader, you know the bitterness of state oppression”.

He urged the President not to deport the Rohingya refugees detained in Sri Lanka back to Myanmar until they are sent to a country where their safety is guaranteed. Also, till such time the government should ensure their well-being and protect their human rights, and show the world the gracious nature of Sri Lankan hospitality and use this as an opportunity to prove it, he added in his letter.

Mujibur Rahman also expressed optimism President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka would surely get support for such an action from the opposition and the UN as well.

The President or his office has yet to respond to his letter.