A group of around 140 Rohingya refugees has been stuck on a boat miles from Indonesia's coast for over a week, as communities in Aceh Province reject their entry due to fears triggered by previous unrest. Residents, while supporting the refugees with food and water through the United Nations’ refugee agency, are unwilling to provide a safe haven on land, as issues like littering and theft have been reported in other nearby towns that welcomed other Rohingya arrivals. Muhammad Jabal, chairman of a local fisheries association, stated that the community is concerned about security and safety implications. The situation mirrors a broader trend in Indonesia, where anti-Rohingya sentiment is reportedly growing, fueled by misinformation. The U.N. refugee agency is actively engaging local authorities in hopes of ensuring the refugees can disembark to safety. This comes amidst a rising number of Rohingya fleeing Myanmar, highlighting ongoing persecution against the Muslim minority, which remains one of the world’s most vulnerable ethnic groups since the 2017 genocide.
Rohingya Refugees Trapped at Sea as Local Communities Express Resistance

Rohingya Refugees Trapped at Sea as Local Communities Express Resistance
A boat carrying 140 Rohingya refugees is stranded off the shores of Indonesia, as local residents provide assistance but decline to let them land.
Rohingya Refugees Trapped at Sea as Local Communities Express Resistance
A boat carrying 140 Rohingya refugees is stranded off the shores of Indonesia, as local residents provide assistance but decline to let them land.
A group of around 140 Rohingya refugees has been stuck on a boat miles from Indonesia's coast for over a week, as communities in Aceh Province reject their entry due to fears triggered by previous unrest. Residents, while supporting the refugees with food and water through the United Nations’ refugee agency, are unwilling to provide a safe haven on land, as issues like littering and theft have been reported in other nearby towns that welcomed other Rohingya arrivals. Muhammad Jabal, chairman of a local fisheries association, stated that the community is concerned about security and safety implications. The situation mirrors a broader trend in Indonesia, where anti-Rohingya sentiment is reportedly growing, fueled by misinformation. The U.N. refugee agency is actively engaging local authorities in hopes of ensuring the refugees can disembark to safety. This comes amidst a rising number of Rohingya fleeing Myanmar, highlighting ongoing persecution against the Muslim minority, which remains one of the world’s most vulnerable ethnic groups since the 2017 genocide.
A boat carrying 140 Rohingya refugees is stranded off the shores of Indonesia, as local residents provide assistance but decline to let them land.
A group of around 140 Rohingya refugees has been stuck on a boat miles from Indonesia's coast for over a week, as communities in Aceh Province reject their entry due to fears triggered by previous unrest. Residents, while supporting the refugees with food and water through the United Nations’ refugee agency, are unwilling to provide a safe haven on land, as issues like littering and theft have been reported in other nearby towns that welcomed other Rohingya arrivals. Muhammad Jabal, chairman of a local fisheries association, stated that the community is concerned about security and safety implications. The situation mirrors a broader trend in Indonesia, where anti-Rohingya sentiment is reportedly growing, fueled by misinformation. The U.N. refugee agency is actively engaging local authorities in hopes of ensuring the refugees can disembark to safety. This comes amidst a rising number of Rohingya fleeing Myanmar, highlighting ongoing persecution against the Muslim minority, which remains one of the world’s most vulnerable ethnic groups since the 2017 genocide.