Canberra, Jakarta urged to act on Rohingya crisis

KUALA LUMPUR: Australia and Indonesia should fulfil a promise they made after the 2015 Andaman Sea crisis, and respond quickly to the refugee crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM) urged the two countries to do so in their capacity as co-chairs of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime.

ADFM – an expert group recognised by the Bali Process – told senior officials the conditions for triggering the Consultation Mechanism established by ministers after the 2015 crisis have been met.

“In addition to triggering the Consultation Mechanism, Indonesia should continue to encourage a single Asean position on the crisis.

“Australia and other Bali process members should do so too,” said Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, one of the four convening organisations of ADFM.

In March 2016, Bali Process ministers pledged more timely responses to urgent irregular migration, said ADFM in a statement.

They created a Consultation Mechanism for fast communication and coordination in emergency situations.

“Activating the Consultation Mechanism would ensure there is an honest broker with authority and legitimacy to share information and coordinate policy responses in the region,” said Steve Wong, of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia.

“It’s time for Australia and Indonesia to deliver on the promise they made as co-chairs of the Bali Process in March 2016,” said Travers McLeod, CEO of the Centre for Policy Development in Australia.