‘Don’t push them back at sea’

Fortify Rights yesterday called on Malaysia not to push back the ships of Rohingyas adrift at sea, and to deploy urgently search and rescue missions for such boats and ensure their safe disembarkation.

The statement comes a day after the Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 396 Rohingya from a boat that departed Bangladesh for Malaysia two months ago.

Malaysian authorities reportedly forced the boat back out to sea; the refugees were adrift for weeks, and up to 60 died.

Rohingyas told the Myanmar-based right body that at least two other ships were adrift at sea between Bangladesh and Malaysia.

A police official in southern Thailand told Reuters that five boats carrying Rohingyas had been spotted off the coast of Satun province late on Monday.

It was not possible to independently confirm the remarks.

"Sending an ill-equipped ship of refugees out to sea is unlawful and a death sentence," said Matthew Smith, chief executive officer of Fortify Rights.

"The Malaysian government should investigate who ordered this Rohingya ship back out to sea and urgently authorize search and rescue missions for any additional boats in distress. Covid-19 is no excuse to send refugees to death at sea."

The statement said on April 16, Malaysian authorities forced another boat of more than 200 Rohingyas back to sea.

In 2015, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia had also pushed boats of thousands of Rohingya refugees out to sea.