Makassar immigration sends 45 Iraqi refugees to Bogor

Makassar immigration sends 45 Iraqi refugees to Bogor

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): As many as 45 Iraqis, from a
total of 143 foreign refugees being held at the Makassar
Immigration Office since May 16 for illegal entry into the
country, were on Saturday shipped to Bogor, assisted by the
International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Makassar Immigration Office head Doddy M said that the 45
Iraqis, including four women and ten children, would be
transported by KM Ciremai at 3 p.m. local time.

"The refugees are guarded by four of the Police's Mobile
Brigade (Brimob) officers on the ship," said Doddy.

As many as 143 refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan were
arrested by Makassar authorities when the KM Lembelu transporting
them docked at the Makassar port on May 16.

They said they wanted to proceed to Australia via Buton,
Southeast Sulawesi, to seek better lives.

Most of them had no passports or other official documentation.
Indonesian authorities suspected that they may be illegal workers
being smuggled by an international syndicate.

According to Doddy, if IOM and the United Nations agreed to
help them leave, the Indonesian authorities would release all the
refugees. "We are now holding the remaining refugees at the
quarantine center close to the Soekarno-Hatta airport in
Makassar."

The Iraqis were reportedly notorious for their bad attitude in
the quarantine center. Following the removal, the Afghans accused
the Makassar Immigration Office of discrimination.

"We have been behaving well in the quarantine. But why were
the troublesome Iraqis freed?" one Afghan refugee said.

Doddy said it was the IOM which made the decisions, adding
that he had no idea what the Iraqis would do after they reached
Bogor.

"Maybe they will be flown to Australia. It's the IOM's
business," he said. (27/sur)