Ratusan Pengungsi Rohingnya Mendarat di Deli Serdang, Pemerintah Bisa Apa?

Summary

The arrival of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia continues, with a recent group of 152 refugees landing in Pantai Labu, North Sumatra. This issue has sparked controversy, with local residents voicing strong opposition. The Indonesian government faces a dilemma between humanitarian concerns and social burdens, as these refugees seek better lives after years in Bangladesh. Legal and logistical challenges arise, especially regarding Indonesia's non-participation in the 1951 Refugee Convention. Experts suggest that Indonesia's role is limited to humanitarian aid. The government must now decide whether to cooperate with the UNHCR or enforce stricter measures to prevent further illegal arrivals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rohingya refugees continue to arrive in Indonesia, with 152 refugees landing in Pantai Labu, North Sumatra on October 24, 2024.
• 😀 The refugees, including adults, children, and infants, arrived on a wooden boat and were immediately processed by local authorities.
• 😀 Authorities suspect a network orchestrated the refugees' arrival, with one person arrested, and another individual still being sought.
• 😀 UNHCR registered the refugees, taking their fingerprints, photos, and assigning identification bracelets to each individual.
• 😀 Muhammad Sufait, a refugee, explained that they had been living in Bangladesh before fleeing to Indonesia for a better life.
• 😀 Local residents, particularly women, protested the refugees' arrival, demanding that they be returned to the boat.
• 😀 The Indonesian government is uncertain about the next steps for the refugees and is awaiting instructions from the central government.
• 😀 The Rohingya refugee issue has been ongoing since 2015, with recurring challenges in managing their arrival and settlement in Indonesia.
• 😀 Vice President Ma’ruf Amin proposed using Galang Island in Batam to house the refugees, but this suggestion has met local resistance.
• 😀 Legal scholars argue that Indonesia is not obligated to treat the Rohingya as refugees because the country is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention.
• 😀 Indonesia's laws, like Presidential Regulation No. 125/2016, allow the government to assist refugees, but it is not required to grant them refugee status unless recognized by the UNHCR.

Q & A

What recent incident involving Rohingya refugees occurred in Indonesia?

On October 24, 2024, 152 Rohingya refugees arrived in Indonesia via Pantai Labu in North Sumatra. They arrived on a wooden boat and were subsequently detained by authorities.

What challenges did the local authorities face when the refugees arrived?

The local authorities faced opposition from local residents, especially mothers, who gathered to protest the refugees' arrival, demanding that the authorities return them to the boat.

How did the authorities manage the refugees upon arrival?

Upon arrival, the refugees were immediately transported to a local truck, where their details were recorded by UNHCR personnel, including their fingerprints, names, and photos.

What was the involvement of the UNHCR in this incident?

The UNHCR played a key role in recording the refugees' information, providing yellow wristbands with barcodes to each refugee, indicating their status for further processing.

Why did some locals oppose the arrival of the Rohingya refugees?

The opposition stemmed from the belief that the refugees would become a social burden on the local community, with concerns over their integration and the strain on local resources.

What is Indonesia's stance on the Rohingya refugee situation according to international law?

Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, so it is not obligated to treat the Rohingya refugees as asylum seekers or refugees. The handling of the refugees is primarily under the UNHCR's jurisdiction.

How does Indonesian law address the issue of refugees?

According to Indonesian law, specifically Presidential Regulation No. 125/2016, the government provides assistance to refugees but does not have an obligation to treat them as refugees unless they are officially recognized by the UNHCR.

What is the main dilemma faced by Indonesia regarding the Rohingya refugees?

Indonesia faces a dilemma between fulfilling humanitarian obligations and addressing the potential social and economic burdens posed by the refugees. There is also the challenge of managing the refugees in accordance with international and domestic law.

What suggestions have been made to address the Rohingya refugee issue in Indonesia?

One suggestion, made by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, is to prepare Pulau Galang in Batam as a facility to temporarily house the Rohingya refugees. However, this plan has been met with local opposition.

What recommendations are made for Indonesia's future approach to the Rohingya refugee situation?

It is recommended that the new government, under leaders like Prabowo and Gibran, take decisive action by collaborating with the UNHCR and Myanmar to address the issue, including screening and repatriation, and enhancing border security to prevent illegal arrivals.