08.02.15 Update on the green boat asy;um seekers

Wish I had more good news to share. The men are still healthy but I think the governance issues are a major problem. They have only rice for food today - so the food issue has not been solved. In addition - someone - perhaps the AG office - have written new rules under the guise of security regulations. The distinct impression is that they don't want anyone to monitor the condition of the men.

Here are the new security regulations verbatim [my comments or explanations in brackets]:

Effectively immediately below regulations to be strictly enforced by those performing security for the Indian and Nepal green boat crews:

1. Not allowed to watch TV anytime
2. Not allowed to sit or gathering near the YFA [Yap Fisheries Authority] security rope at anytime. Confined to YFTI koyeng only [that is where they stay]. 
3. Not allowed to use cell-phone.
4. Not allowed to talk to outsiders only those authorize by the Office of Attorney General. [I was told that the AG office did not want Father John or me to be allowed to visit the men. We were both allowed admission this morning. This indicates to me and Father John that they do not want any one to monitor the situation. Remember, IOM was not going to provide the men with food for a week because of budgetary issues.]
5. Should go straight to restroom and straight back to YFTI, no stopping or talking to anybody.
6. Requesting to go to Yap memorial hospital is not permitted unless approved by IOM first. [Apparently IOM staff are not qualified physicians. too.] Medical personnel have their own schedule to visit YFTI. [No physician from the hospital comes here to see the men on any schedule.]
7. Washing of laundry is permitted only on Tuesday and Friday. (Evening shower time).
8. Curfew time is 10:00 PM, no movement on the dock after curfew. 

So these are the new security rules. Father John called the US Embassy two weeks ago when they had no food and the embassy official  said it was up to FSM government to take care of the men. FSM government in Pohnpei said it is up to Yap State. So it is just round and round in circles.

The hospital director said that the financial issues for medical care are between IOM and DHS, not DHS and the men. So she said that if anyone is sick, the hospital will take care of them. I do believe there are rules for humanitarian treatment, aren't there?

The men need someone who can advocate for them on a higher level than me. I can report what I see and hear and make IOM mad that they have to deal with this, but I don't  have the legal connections to do anything more substantial. I did bring them food today - fresh local vegetables. I am going to try to contact the AP. Maybe someone will be interested.

And I met the commanding officer of the US Navy Seabees in the grocery store and simply told them the men have no food. I worked with the last medic and and they took supplies. This is a new team. The commander said he contacted Guam and are awaiting a decision. HOW HARD IS TO BUY SOME FOOD AND DROP OFF AT THE DOCK?  Really.  Some locals have donated food, including a nurse from Public Health, but others are largely indifferent to their plight.