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Kevin Tan, Jakarta
Recently, we have heard the initiative from European Commission (EC) member states in saving the refugees. They decide to distribute more or less than 160000 refugees to each member states. Their action should be appreciated, when thousands of refugees need a dwelling place to live.
The response that has been showed by EC is quite different with ASEAN in handling the Rohingya. If we take a look on ASEAN’s response, we can see that ASEAN has lack of initiative in saving those refugees. Only three states that take this responsibility seriously –Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, when the others remains silent in dealing with the case.
Same issue, different reaction. This statement explains on how ASEAN –the second largest regional organizations in the world and European Union react to the issue of refugee.
In one side, we cannot blame ASEAN member states for its reluctance to take further initiative in solving the problem, since this crisis begin with one country that is reluctantly recognize one group as their own people. Not only that, the economic discrepancy among its member states has halted their decision to receive more refugees on their state.
In the other side, some of EU member states need more people, when their population decreases every year. Accepting more refugees to their country is a realistic solution for them.
Maybe some of us can say that prioritizing the welfare of our own people needs to be prioritized in the very first place. However, I believe that this notion should be changed, when there are some refugees that have lost their right in their own territory. If the origin country does not show any willingness to do something, at least we should contribute something in helping them.
In the Rohingya’s case, ASEAN should be the main actor that solves the problem. As ASEAN Human Rights Declaration has ensured the protection of every citizen wholly in the region, ASEAN member states should give an example on how to help each other in saving the refugees.
Instead of working as unity, only three states that brings a serious urgency in dealing with the issue. ASEAN Human Rights Declaration only becomes a symbol without clear method in dealing with human right crisis in the region. It is not the ASEAN that we dream of. We dream ASEAN can work cooperatively in dealing with this issue in the region.
As the human rights are universal, each ASEAN member states should go to the basic principle that human rights are universal. It means that the Rohingya is not simply the problem of Myanmar, but also the responsibility of ASEAN, in order to ensure the protection of each people in our region.
In this point, ASEAN should follow EU example in protecting the refugees. Until now, EU have tried to save thousands of lives, by Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and bringing this issue to EC. This reaction has shown their commitment, in saving those refugees.
The idealist way that ASEAN should do in this point is dividing the responsibility among each member states in dealing with the Rohingya. The other countries, except Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand should contribute something in solving the case, for instance by giving more funds, place for the Rohingya –as Indonesia do to live or (SAR) operation, etc. Despite how small contribution that all ASEAN member countries can do, at least it can give positive image on how ASEAN concern with this issue.
If ASEAN cannot deal with this case, it is hardly to be believed that ASEAN can deal with other case with the spirit of unity.
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What Indonesia can do?
Basically, Indonesia has shown a very good response in dealing with the Rohingya. Indonesia is one of the most initiative countries that try to give some fund and place to save them. It can be argued that Indonesia has a similar role with Germany in voicing the need to save those refugees.
Indonesia should remain in this position, when it will bring Indonesia as a big brother and promoter of the protection of human rights in the region. Despite all human rights violations that occur in the past have not been solved, Indonesia should try to show their image as a defender of human rights. In reaching this point, Indonesia should give more effort in remedying the human rights violations in their own country, in order to prevent other countries are pointing their hand to Indonesia.
If Indonesia can do this, it will help them to increase their capability to encourage other country in dealing with human right violations case.
What Indonesia can really do is becoming an initiator now, when the problem of human rights rise. If Indonesia can consistently do this role, Indonesia can become an example among countries in the region to promote the value of the protection of human rights in the vast difference of political systems in the region.
The writer is the President and Founder of Indonesia Berbicara. Check http://www.indonesiabicara.weebly.com/ to know more about Indonesia Berbicara.
