Refugees From Afghanistan Desperate To Self-immolate At The UNHCR Medan Office, The Fire Burns Big

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

MEDAN - An Afghan refugee attempted to commit suicide by setting himself on fire in front of the UNHCR office, Jalan Imam Bonjol, Medan City, North Sumatra.

The refugee's attempted suicide by setting himself on fire was caught on video and went viral on social media. At that time, the victim suddenly came to the door of the UNHCR building.

The action was repelled by his fellow refugees, but failed. The fire that came from the match he was holding directly grabbed the victim's body.

The victim ran in front of the building because he was in pain. Some building security tried to save him by putting out the fire.

From the information obtained, before setting himself on fire, the refugee first smeared his body with fuel oil.

A refugee, Muhammad Zuma Moshini said the refugee was named Ahmad Shah (22). He allegedly set himself on fire because he was depressed.

"Yes, that's true, there was an incident of self-immolation in front of the UNHCR office, and he was depressed, he was under stress," Zuma Moshini told reporters, Tuesday, November 30.

Zuma said the relative had been taken to the hospital for treatment. He saw his relatives had news wounds all over his body.

"His face has been burned, his back, right and left, his hands are very bad. 70 percent and again we are not allowed to enter the hospital," he explained.

In addition, Zuma revealed that the suicide attempt by Afghan refugees in Medan was not the first time.

He said that even his relatives had 14 people who committed suicide because of depression.

"The most recent suicides were in 2019 and 2017. A total of 14 people committed suicide. This is due to stress, depression, living a long time in Indonesia and living in obscurity for years," he said.

Therefore, he asked the Indonesian government to help find a solution for the refugees.

"We ask IOM and international organizations to find the best solution for us. The world already knows our country is not safe," he said.