Trapped and Overlooked: The Plight of Refugees in Indonesia
Indonesia has become home to around 13, 700 refugees who are unable to find a long-term solution. Over half of them, approximately 7,600, are ethnic Hazara refugees from Afghanistan. The remainder are refugees from Somalia, Iraq, Myanmar, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Palestine, Iran, Pakistan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. The Covid-19 pandemic has made their situation even more complicated, forcing them to wait for resettlement to a third country due to long waiting times and limited places available.
Refugees in Indonesia have no choice but to wait for a third-country settlement, which is not easily accessible. They are stuck in limbo, clouded with uncertainty, waiting for a solution that seems out of reach. Unfortunately, the resettlement process is extremely lengthy, and with the Taliban's control over Afghanistan and the coronavirus pandemic causing 160 countries to close their borders at some time, the refugees are essentially trapped in Indonesia. These refugees have substantial mental health issues, and suicide is on the rise, prompting protests outside UNHCR offices. Reliefweb states that "In protest, a 22-year-old man set himself on fire, and several people sewed their lips in protest." Around 13 refugees have committed suicide in the last three years. Other causes of their passing have been natural causes or becoming destitute. It should be a top priority that this situation is addressed by the government, UNHCR, and our international community.
The size of the worldwide refugee issue has increased significantly during the last ten years. A total of 100 million people had been displaced as of 2022, according to the UNHCR, which means that more than 1.2% of the world's population had been compelled to leave their homes. Almost 32.5 million refugees are counted among them. Among them, only six nations account for 76% of the refugees. Indonesia is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and doesn't have a national refugee status determination system. That means refugees in Indonesia are not allowed to gain formal employment and often have limited access to health services. This creates a grim cycle as they are given extremely limited help but are not able to provide for themselves as employment is illegal; they are helpless.
Without proper laws in place that give basic human rights to these refugees, they are forced to wait for resettlement. Unfortunately, the situation is further complicated by the fact that Indonesia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention. As a result, refugees in Indonesia are denied basic rights and privileges. They are unable to work legally and are often left with limited access to health services, which only adds to their frustration and despair.
Because of these issues, refugees in Indonesia face significant mental health problems, and suicide is prominent. Many refugees have protested towards the Indonesian government, hoping for a change to their circumstances. Back in December of 2021, a man set himself on fire in protest after having waited five years to be permanently resettled. The situation is dire and requires immediate attention from the international community.
It is essential to recognize that refugees are human beings, just like everyone else. They have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, and violence. They are seeking safety and a better life, just like anyone else. It is our collective responsibility to provide them with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives.
Indonesia needs to step up and provide these refugees with the support and resources they need to survive. The government must work to establish a national refugee status determination system and grant basic human rights to these refugees. The UNHCR and the international community must also work together to provide these refugees with the support they need to rebuild their lives. We cannot ignore their plight and must take action to address this critical issue. We must remember that refugees are not just statistics; they are human beings.