Human Rights at Risk: Rohingya Targeted in Hate Campaign

 

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In a highly troubling incident, a group of university students recently stormed a shelter in Banda Aceh housing mainly Rohingya women and children refugees. Shocking online videos captured the students aggressively shouting “expel the Rohingya,” kicking belongings, and forcibly loading refugees onto trucks headed for a government building. Their disturbing actions culminated as the students jubilantly chanted and danced in what seemed a celebratory manner. 

In a statement following the incident, the UNHCR in Indonesia recognized this as “the result of a coordinated online disinformation and hate speech campaign against refugees.” 

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A local human rights organization also cited that the students drew from hateful narratives spreading on social media. In recent months, Indonesian social media users have been inundated with harmful content targeting the Rohingya community. 

This surge in online misinformation has fanned prejudice and hostility, ultimately leading to the stressful event in Banda Aceh. Not only do these actions blatantly violate principles of human rights, but they also endanger the lives and well-being of vulnerable refugees. 

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The Rohingya, who have already experienced persecution and displacement in their home country, now find themselves targeted in a foreign land where they sought safe refuge.

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