World

Indonesia arrests 18 migrants, including Pakistanis, bound for Australia

The group from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan had boarded the wooden boat from Pameungpeuk beach in West Java

Afp September 24, 2015

asylum seekers from afghanistan and pakistan argue with indonesian policemen at a temporary shelter in merak indonesia 039 s banten province september 27 2013 photo reuters file

Asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Pakistan argue with Indonesian policemen at a temporary shelter in Merak, Indonesia's Banten province September 27, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

SUKABUMI, INDONESIA: Indonesian police have arrested 18 migrants who were stranded in the waters off Java island after their boat ran out of fuel as they tried to reach Australia, an official said.

The group from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan had boarded the wooden boat from Pameungpeuk beach in West Java and were heading to Australia's remote Christmas Island, district immigration chief Filianto Akbar told reporters late Wednesday.

Read: Australia PM Turnbull admits 'concerns' about asylum seeker camps

"They intended to go to Christmas Island but their boat ran out of fuel and drifted near a beach in Cianjur district on Wednesday," he said.
"They asked passing fishermen for help, who then informed the police."

Sixteen migrants were taken to an immigration detention centre while two others were still being questioned by police, Akbar said, adding that the boat's captain and two crew members had also been arrested.

Australia's conservative government introduced hardline immigration policies in 2013 allowing authorities to prevent asylum seekers from attempting to arrive on the mainland.

Indonesia has previously expressed disapproval of the tough immigration policy implemented by former prime minister Tony Abbott's conservative coalition.

The policy includes turning back boats carrying migrants and refusing to resettle asylum seekers who arrive on unauthorised vessels even if they are found to be genuine refugees.

They are instead detained in immigration camps on the Pacific islands of Nauru and Papua New Guinea, despite harsh criticism from rights groups.

Read: Highest number of asylum applications submitted from Pakistan in 2014: report

The latest boat is reportedly the first attempt by asylum seekers to reach Australia by sea since Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister last week.

On Wednesday, Turnbull admitted he had concerns about asylum seekers being held in Pacific island camps, but gave no indication of their being an immediate change to the government's policy.

COMMENTS (2)

abreez | 9 years ago | Reply How Europe is slowly dying despite an increasing world population telegraph.co.uk 16 Feb 2015 Italy is dying and newborns are not replacing those who die, according to the country's health minister. Beatrice Lorenzin made her comments after the news that the country's birth rate - 8.4 per 1,000 people - is its lowest since the foundation of the modern state in 1861. "We are at the threshold where people who die are not being replaced by newborns. That means we are a dying country." But the outlook for the rest of Europe and the West is not that different, especially in eastern Europe where World Bank data shows the average birth rate in central Europe and the Baltic countries is 12.6 per 1,000 people compared to 38 in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite a world population growth rate of 1.2 per cent - according to UN data from 2010, revised in 2012 - the West is seeing lower population rates, usually below 10 per cent and birth rates substantially lower compared to developing countries. The problem is not new but the causes remain an issue in some parts of Europe including Spain and Greece. In August 2013, writing in the New York Times, Suzanne Daley and Nicholas Kulish said low birth rates related to the economic crisis and high unemployment: Quote Several recent studies show that historically high unemployment rates — in excess of 50 per cent among youths — in countries like Greece, Italy and Spain are further discouraging young people from having children." This decline in some parts of the world affects society and politics, the CIA warned: Quote Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage aged 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. "The age structure also can be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest." For now, Europe's hope to see continued positive population growth remains in the hands of migrants, often younger and in search of a better life for themselves and their family.

abreez | 9 years ago | Reply German, French nationals detained in Turkey for abetting refugees hurriyetdailynews.com Five people, including a German and a French national, were detained Sept. 21 in Istanbul for encouraging Syrian refugees to head for Turkey’s border with the EU, police said. The suspects are accused of aiding and abetting refugees in circumventing police restrictions on migrants heading for Edirne province, which borders Greece and Bulgaria. Around 3,000 refugees have been waiting at Istanbul’s main bus station to travel to the province, where thousands are already seeking to enter the EU. The suspects – identified as German national Nora S., French national Charlotte L. and Syrians Abdalsalam S., Ali F., and Mohammed F. – were said to have incited refugees against Turkish police and persuaded them against cooperating with the authorities. They are accused of encouraging groups of refugees to set off on foot for Edirne. Earlier Sept. 21, police intercepted a 500-strong group of Syrian refugees walking along a highway near Istanbul toward the province. More than 1,500 refugees have been waiting in Edirne province for 10 days to cross the border. Millions of Syrians have fled their country since war broke out in 2011 and Turkey is now home to the world’s largest refugee population, including 1.9 million Syrians. It is alleged that Nora S. and Charlotte L. also played a role in the 2013 Gezi Park anti-government protests. September/22/2015

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