Ministry Of Law And Human Rights Deports Bangladeshi Citizens In Rohingya Shelter

Rohingya refugees are in a shelter in Padang Tiji, Pidie Regency, Aceh. BETWEEN/M Haris SA

BANDA ACEH - Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) has prepared a process of deporting Bangladeshi citizens who are in a number of Rohingya immigrant shelters in Aceh Province.

Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Aceh Province, Meurah Budiman, said that his party is currently identifying Bangladeshi residents at the Rohingya shelter in Aceh.

"From the results of temporary identification, there were 34 Bangladeshi nationals who were accommodated with Rohingya immigrants. After identification, they are planned to be sent back to their country," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 23.

Meurah Budiman said the deportation plan was carried out in early February 2024. Prior to deportation, the Bangladesh Embassy will come to clarify their citizens.

"The citizens of Bangladesh entered Indonesia as illegal immigrants with Rohingya refugees. Therefore, they were immediately deported to their country of origin," he said.

Regarding Rohingya immigrants, Meurah Budiman said they were refugees. Therefore, their handling is regulated based on Presidential Decree No. 125 of 2016 concerning refugees from abroad.

According to Meurah Budiman, the presidential regulation stipulates that the placement of refugees from abroad is the authority of the regional government. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, in this case, is immigration, its authority is data collection and supervision.

"We have conveyed the existence of this Rohingya to the Minister to find a solution. We also propose to the minister that the Rohingya in Aceh be moved to another area or returned to their place of origin," said Meurah Budiman.

A total of 1,699 Rohingya immigrants are still being accommodated in a number of places in Aceh Province. The thousands of Rohingya immigrants have come to Aceh by motorbike for the past few months.