Hundreds of Rohingyas have landed on the coast of Weh Island, Sabang, Aceh. They landed at Batu Hitam Beach, Jurong Keuramat, Gampong Ie Meule. They consisted of adults and children, both men and women. These Rohingyas want to be treated as refugees even though according to the Immigration Act, their presence is illegal as they did not use valid travel documents and did not enter through immigration checkpoints. The Acehnese people around the coast are also busy rejecting the presence of the Rohingyas and asking them to return to their place of origin in Myanmar. The wave of Rohingya arrivals to Indonesia through Aceh began in 2015. In the first wave of arrivals, they received assistance from Acehnese fishermen. The Rohingyas seek a livelihood in Indonesia and some of them often lead to social conflicts with the people of Aceh and Indonesia in general.
Before coming to Indonesia, they targeted Malaysia as a place to earn a better living. In Malaysia, the Rohingya migrants were able to find work because a number of Malaysian companies needed manual laborers with competitive salaries. However, the Malaysian people and government have not wanted the Rohingya migrants from Myanmar to come for the past few years. The reason is that the Rohingyas often create social conflicts with local residents and criminal acts committed by some of the Rohingyas. However, the Malaysian people and government have not wanted the Rohingya migrants from Myanmar to come for the past few years. The reason is that the Rohingyas often create social conflicts with local residents and criminal acts committed by some of the Rohingyas. Actually, the presence of Rohingyas is not Indonesia’s business. Indonesia should not treat the Rohingya as refugees since it is not a party to the 1951 Refugees Convention. If the Rohingyas are to be treated as refugees, this is a matter for UNHCR, and Indonesia should only assist wherever possible given that the Rohingyas are currently in Indonesia. The extent of Indonesia’s assistance is stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 125/2016 on the Handling of Refugees from Abroad.
Introduction
Fleeing from ethnic persecution committed by the Myanmar military junta and local Buddhist extremists in the Rakhine State, thousands of Muslim Rohingya traversed hundreds of kilometers of dense forests and embarked on perilous voyages across the Bay of Bengal to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Currently, over 960,000 individuals have sought refuge in Bangladesh, with the majority residing in Cox’s Bazar, the site of the largest refugee camp globally (Rohingya Refugee Crisis Explained, n.d.). Facing uncertainty about their future in Cox’s Bazar, thousands of them have risked their lives to cross vast, treacherous seas in crowded, dilapidated boats with the hope of resettling in another country. They are willing to take such a risk, hoping to join many of their undocumented community members in economically developed neighbouring countries, notably Malaysia (MMC, 2021) .
Over the last decade, waves of Rohingya boat people have managed to reach the coastal shores of Aceh, a province of Indonesia located in the northern tip of the Malacca Straits. Initially, the Acehnese and provincial government accepted and welcomed the arrival of the Rohingya refugees, believing that these refugees would only stay in the country temporarily. UNHCR said that since November 2023, 1.200 Rohingya have landed in Aceh. UNHCR noted that the total number of refugees in Aceh so far has reached 1.608, including 140 people who stayed in the past year (BBC, 2024). The facilities and assistance provided by the Indonesian government to Rohingya refugees in Aceh are shelter, food assistance, health care, clean water assistance, sanitation, psychosocial support, and other basic assistance (Darnela and Nugroho, 2017). With this, Rohingya refugees are greatly helped to fulfill their needs. Although the Indonesian government will still prioritize the interests of the local community (Kompas, 2023).
Nonetheless, the presence of Rohingya refugees currently triggers intense debate among the Indonesians. The arrival of Rohingya refugees in Aceh was rejected by the people of Aceh. The people of Aceh have their own reasons for refusing to give refuge to the Rohingya immigrants. The reason is that Rohingya migrants are said to give a bad impression to the community. Rohingya refugees give the impression of bad behaviour and actions and are not in accordance with the customs and norms of village regulations. In addition, they are also unable to maintain cleanliness and do not heed Islamic law and customs among the community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Indonesia does not have a regulatory obligation to accommodate refugees. This was done on humanitarian grounds (Rahayu, Anam, and Dewanto, 2023). Significant numbers of Acehnese refuse to accept these refugees, claiming that they often cause trouble. Many of these refugees were embroiled in petty theft, throwing people’s aid into the sea, leaving refugee camps, disobeying local community norms and customs, and abusing underage children (Tusriyanto et al, 2023).
UNHCR has predicted that a wave of Rohingya refugees will soon enter Indonesian waters. There are several actions that UNHCR has taken so far in dealing with Rohingya refugees in Indonesia. Apart from fulfilling humanitarian needs, they also provide protection to the people from Myanmar. Many Rohingya refugees need food, water, shelter, education and health assistance. UNHCR also plays a role in facing challenges in the form of potential friction between refugees and the people in Indonesia. UNHCR also registers refugees, provides protection and legal assistance, and prevents gender-based violence. In addition, UNHCR also ensures the provision of adequate shelter, health care and sanitation, supports education and skills development, finds livelihood opportunities, and distributes aid. They claim to be involved in several dialogs to ensure a voluntary and safe return process. UNHCR plays a role in monitoring and finding solutions to problems, in addition to being an initiator, facilitator, and determinant. This is the role that UNHCR plays in handling refugees in Indonesia.
UNHCR’s Compassionate Response to the Rohingya Refugees Crisis
The UNHCR and its partners are currently providing active assistance in addressing the humanitarian and protection requirements of Rohingya refugees in various countries. These refugees are completely reliant on humanitarian aid and need support for essential needs such as food, water, shelter, education, and health. These aids are very helpful for Rohingya refugees in Aceh to fulfill their basic needs. As an international organization whose role is to take care of refugees, it is UNHCR’s duty to solve refugee problems. UNHCR is very dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution (UNHCR, 2024). Commencing its campaign in Myanmar, UNHCR significantly highlighted the role of Aung San Suu Kyi as its “messenger of peace” in her birth country, promoting the concept of peaceful coexistence between the Rohingya community and other major ethnic groups in the country (Faye, 2021).
UNHCR has undertaken various operations in the fields to safeguard the welfare and safety of Rohingya refugees. One notable program is the registration of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. This process results in a reasoned decision that determines whether an individual’s request for refugee status is accepted or rejected and gives each individual a (one-time) opportunity to appeal if their application is rejected. Those identified as refugees will receive protection while UNHCR finds a long-term solution, which is usually resettlement in another country. To this end, UNHCR is in close contact with countries that have the potential to accept refugees. Additionally, UNHCR offers shelter and provides essential relief items such as blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, and jerry cans (UNHCR, 2023). Furthermore, UNHCR is actively involved in developing water and sanitation facilities. To mitigate the adverse effects of heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, UNHCR assists Rohingya refugees by helping them reinforce their shelters, relocating those in hazardous areas, and implementing improvements to drainage systems and slope stabilization efforts (UNHCR, 2023). In conclusion, UNHCR as an international organization under the UN has performed its role and duties in dealing with the Rohingya refugee problem.
UNHCR has also embarked on programs prioritizing education, and healthcare, as well as initiatives to prevent sexual and gender-based violence (USA for UNHCR, 2023). The Agency has strengthened collaboration with development partners and the private sector in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char in Bangladesh to expand the scope of skills development, education, and livelihood opportunities. This initiative aims to empower refugees to rebuild their lives upon their voluntary and secure return to Myanmar. By 2024, UNHCR will work closely with the national system to provide assistance for the education of more than 20,000 students at pre-primary, primary, and secondary levels (UNHCR, 2024).
UNHCR will continue to advocate for individuals seeking entry into specific regions, including those undertaking hazardous journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar in pursuit of refuge, safety, family reunification, and better economic opportunities in different nations (UNHCR Global Focus, 2024). The organization is committed to assisting stateless individuals, whether displaced or not, in obtaining civil and citizenship documentation, such as birth registration. This aligns with the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State in 2017 (UNHCR Global Focus, 2024).
UNHCR’s Role in Overcoming the Rohingya Refugees Challenge in Indonesia
Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. The signatory countries of the 1951 Convention bear the duty and power to ascertain the legal standing and well-being of refugees, along with all associated consequences. Indonesia’s status as a non-state party to the 1951 convention exempts it from any obligation to address the refugee issue. The Indonesian government’s involvement is limited to serving as a temporary transit country. It aids in locating temporary accommodations for refugees until they are either resettled in the country that has offered them asylum or returned to their home country. The existence of the principle of refoulement adopted by Indonesia, Indonesia cannot expel refugees, the right to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. So with the principle of humanity, Indonesia accepted Rohingya refugees to live in Aceh. Although by accepting Rohingya refugees, it will certainly cause several problems, one of which is friction with local residents.
Due to the close relationship between Indonesia’s immigration authorities and UNHCR, the administrative procedure for processing refugee applications and asylum status involves notifying UNHCR when dealing with refugee applications. UNHCR will then process and interview asylum seekers to determine their status as refugees or not (Chambers, 1986). In handling Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, the UNHCR, as an UN-sanctioned organization, has fulfilled its role by monitoring and seeking solutions to the problem. Its task is to guarantee that every person has the right to seek asylum and find a safe place in another country, with the option of voluntary return to their home country, local integration, or resettlement in a third country.
In dealing with Rohingya refugees, UNHCR always fulfills the needs of humanity, they also provide protection to the people from Myanmar. In addition, UNHCR also provides protection and legal assistance and prevents gender-based violence. They also ensure the provision of adequate shelter, health care, sanitation, support education and skill development, find livelihood opportunities, and distribute aid. In the process, UNHCR conducts screening in and screening out. UNHCR is directly involved in the data collection process to determine refugee status and socialization in local communities. They guarantee everyone’s right to seek asylum. UNHCR provides options for voluntary return to the country of origin, local integration, or resettlement to a third country.
UNHCR has responsibility for psychosocial support services, education, and meeting basic needs. The first role performed by UNHCR is protection. The quality and quantity of asylum includes the basic rights received by refugees. In this case, the quality and quantity of asylum can be seen in the aspects of education, health, refugee housing conditions, and other assistance that supports refugees’ lives for the better. Another thing done by UNHCR is that it works with the local government to provide a decent place. However, the number of shelters available is not sufficient to accommodate all existing refugees, which can lead to overcapacity conditions and other social problems. UNHCR also participates in coordination meetings to handle social friction between refugees and local residents. This is what UNHCR is doing in handling Rohingya refugees in Aceh, Indonesia.
In the future, UNHCR’s role in Indonesia will undoubtedly encounter numerous challenges. This is evident as, to this day, there is a growing number of Rohingya refugees arriving in Indonesia, initially in the Aceh province and currently, gradually expanding to other areas in the country, such as Deli Serdang, Sumatera Utara. Considering that Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, the country arguably does not have international obligation to undertake full responsibility in providing accommodation, food, employment assistance, and granting even asylum status to Rohingya refugees. Consequently, UNHCR has no option but to assume the responsibility to accommodate and safeguard the welfare of Rohingya refugees in the country, including processing their application for asylum status and voluntary repatriation to other countries.
The arrival and long-term presence of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia is poised to spark a prolonged debate. Achieving a complete repatriation to their origin country or securing asylum in other regions poses a formidable challenge not only to the Indonesian government but also UNHCR and its partners. In addition to this intricate situation, another challenge for Indonesia is the prospect of Rohingya refugees settling as permanent residents in the country. This would necessitate the nation to navigate a local cultural shift and even potentially changing the societal and cultural dynamic, further complicating the Rohingya refugee case.
Conclusion
The Rohingya refugees arriving in Indonesia, particularly in Aceh province, are met with mixed reactions from the local population. While some initially welcomed them, there’s now a growing rejection from Acehnese people due to perceived social conflicts and their inability to adhere to local customs and norms. Indonesia, as a non-signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, does not have a legal obligation to provide refugee status to the Rohingyas. However, humanitarian considerations have led the Indonesian government to provide temporary assistance to these refugees, despite not treating them as formal refugees. The UNHCR plays a crucial role in assisting Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, including providing basic necessities, protection, legal assistance, and facilitating potential resettlement in other countries. However, their efforts face challenges, especially considering the increasing number of refugees and Indonesia’s non-ratification of the Refugee Convention. The long-term presence of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia poses challenges, both for the government and the UNHCR. Achieving repatriation to Myanmar or resettlement in other countries is complicated, and the possibility of Rohingya settling as permanent residents in Indonesia raises questions about cultural integration and societal dynamics. Indonesia is not legally bound to accommodate Rohingya refugees, humanitarian considerations and the involvement of organizations like UNHCR necessitate some level of assistance. However, the situation remains complex, with ongoing debates and challenges regarding the refugees’ long-term status and integration.
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