🇮🇩 Refugee detention centres overcrowded in Indonesia

Summary

Desperate refugees camp outside Jakarta's immigration detention center, seeking refuge but facing overcrowded and dire conditions. Many, including families with young children, have been stranded for years in Indonesia, a country not signatory to the UN Refugee Convention. With no options for resettlement, some are turning back to unsafe home countries like Afghanistan. Despite efforts from local communities to provide support, the situation remains bleak, with no sufficient resources to aid the growing number of refugees, leaving them in an uncertain and perilous limbo.

Takeaways

• 😀 Desperate refugees are camping outside Jakarta's immigration detention center, hoping to be let in.
• 😀 Many refugees, including families with young children, have been living in dire conditions, including skin problems due to the weather.
• 😀 Sabe Hula, an Afghan refugee, has lost hope of being accepted by any country after four years in Indonesia, and now just hopes for food and shelter.
• 😀 Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, and many refugees use the country as a transit point to reach countries like Australia or the U.S. and Europe.
• 😀 More than 14,000 refugees are stuck in Indonesia after most countries closed their borders, preventing resettlement or onward travel.
• 😀 Some refugees, like 7-year-old Sorry Jafari from Afghanistan, have lived in Indonesia for years without support and struggle with education and survival.
• 😀 Immigration officials in Indonesia state that the detention center is overcrowded, with over 300 refugees detained in a facility meant for 100.
• 😀 The overcrowded conditions in the detention center are grim, and many refugees are falling ill due to the conditions.
• 😀 The UNHCR has limited resources to assist the refugees, and many are being left without help, despite international organizations' involvement.
• 😀 Some refugees, out of desperation, have chosen to return to Afghanistan, even though the UNHCR states it is not safe, as they see no other option.

Q & A

Why are refugees camping outside Jakarta's immigration detention center?

The refugees are camping outside the immigration detention center in Jakarta because they hope to be let into the facility. Many of them, including families with small children and newborns, have been stuck in Indonesia for an extended period and are seeking a solution for their situation.

What is the situation of Sabe Hula Nursery and his family?

Sabe Hula Nursery, originally from Afghanistan, has been in Indonesia for four years. He has lost hope that any country will accept him and his family. His financial support from relatives back home has run out, and he expresses a willingness to be detained in prison in exchange for food and shelter, as living under the sun is unbearable.

What challenges do refugees face in Indonesia?

Refugees in Indonesia face numerous challenges, including overcrowded immigration detention centers, limited support from the international community, and the lack of a legal framework for refugees. Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees, and many refugees are stuck in the country with no clear path to resettlement.

How many refugees are currently stuck in Indonesia, and why?

More than 14,000 refugees are currently stuck in Indonesia, many of whom used the country as a transit point to reach Australia or to be resettled in countries like the United States or Europe. However, with most countries closing their borders, these refugees are now stranded in Indonesia.

What are the living conditions like inside the detention center?

Inside the detention center, the conditions are grim. More than 300 refugees are detained in a space designed for only 100 people. The refugees are cramped together in small rooms, leading to health issues and a sense of imprisonment while waiting for resettlement.

What is the role of the UNHCR in supporting refugees in Indonesia?

The UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is responsible for supporting refugees in Indonesia, but it has limited resources. The agency states that it does not have enough money to assist all refugees stuck in Indonesia, which has led to growing desperation among the refugee population.

What options do refugees have when they cannot be resettled in other countries?

Some refugees, in a desperate attempt to find a solution, have decided to return to their home countries, such as Afghanistan. Although the UNHCR acknowledges that Afghanistan is not safe, it does not prevent refugees from making this decision if they choose to return, as it is ultimately their personal choice.

Why is the return to Afghanistan a difficult decision for refugees?

Returning to Afghanistan is a difficult decision for refugees because, despite the dangers and instability, they feel they have no other options. The lack of resettlement opportunities and the prolonged wait in Indonesia lead some to consider returning home as the only alternative.

What is the Indonesian government's stance on refugees stuck in the country?

The Indonesian government has stated that it is looking for a solution for the stranded refugees, though no clear resolution has been found. The government has not committed to accepting or resettling the refugees, as Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention.

How are local volunteers helping refugees in Indonesia?

Local residents in the neighborhood around the detention center have been providing refugees with basic necessities such as food, water, and medical help. However, the increasing number of refugees makes it difficult for volunteers to continue offering consistent support.