The following joint statement by the Confederation Congress of Indonesia Union Alliance and the Working People's Association was released from Jakarta on October 27.
Since October 10, 255 refugees, victims of civil war —Tamils from Sri Lanka — have been held by Indonesian authorities. They escaped Malaysia after not being given asylum, following their escape from Sri Lanka.
There are no decent facilities on the boat. They share one toilet. Seventeen children are suffering malnutrition and a number of refugees have already threatened to jump off the boat into the sea.
They have suffered enough in Sri Lanka due to civil war. The Sri Lankan government is still holding 250,000 Tamils in small camps in horrific conditions.
Tamil-speaking people in Sri Lanka have become targets for attacks.
What the refugees want is the right to have a decent life with basic democratic rights, including the right to education for their children.
There are other Sri Lankan refugees living in Indonesia who are not given their full democratic rights. The Indonesian government is using them to meet its political aims with Australia and with some aid agencies.
Regarding the 255 Tamil refugees, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a phone call to Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, asking him to stop the refugees' boat and keep it away from Australia.
In response, Confederation KASBI and PRP state our position:
1. Demand the Indonesian government gives protection and humanitarian aid to the 255 Tamil refugees as long as they are in Indonesian territory, and does not limit their right to seek asylum.
2. Urge the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to act as a mediator on behalf of the refugees.
3. Call all democratic and human rights groups in Indonesia to build solidarity with our refugee brothers and sisters. Their struggle is our struggle.