The Indonesian government is losing patience with 240 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who for the past three months have been defying their host country and refusing to disembark from their refugee boat.
This is a similar situation to the 78 from the same country that did a similar sit-in on the Oceanic Viking.
In both cases these refugees are demanding fast access to resettlement in Australia and avoiding the need to wait their turn in an Indonesian refugee camp.
These people are queue jumpers. They are trying to force their way into Australia ahead of huge numbers waiting in refugee camps in many parts of the world - and they are using force to achieve their aims.
The UNHCR imposes humanitarian rules for the management of refugees, but these assume that the people seeking relief will comply with their hosts directions and rules. These people are being militant - and it's time they faced a level playing field.
Receiving countries have every right to deny refugee status to those who make arrogant demands and refuse cooperation. Such action on their part should mean the immediate suspension of UNHCR status - and their return to their country of origin.
When those 78 refused to leave the Oceanic Viking the ship should have immediately sailed - and it's next destination should have been Sri Lanka. The Indonesian have good reason to send the present 240 packing back to their former homeland.
The claim that they may face sanctions holds no weight. Asylum seekers who try and impose entry rules of their own making simply void the principle of protection.
So far host countries have been bending over backwards to meet unreasonable demands. Its time that ceased - and asylum seekers learn that they have obligations as well as rights.
Ignoring them should result in those rights being withdrawn !
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