The Ministry Of Law And Human Rights Emphasizes Socialization In Facing The Potential Social Conflict Of Refugees With Residents

The asylum seeker was in the tent during a demonstration in front of the South Sulawesi representative UNHCR office in Makassar, Thursday, November 4, 2021. (ANTARA PHOTO-Arnas Padda)

JAKARTA - Director General of Human Rights of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) Dhana Putra assesses that handling refugees at the global and regional levels requires a collective commitment of the entire nation.

"After all, this issue is often related to conflicts within a country so that efforts to build peace should not be forgotten in handling the refugee issue," said Dhanana, confirmed in Jakarta, Saturday, September 29, which was confiscated by Antara.

He views refugees as one of the most vulnerable groups in the world because they are very vulnerable to the threat of exploitation, human trafficking, and crimes against humanity.

For this reason, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights continues to communicate intensively with international organizations in charge of refugees, such as the United Nations High Commissionerate Office (UNHCR) and the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Not only that, he said that on a number of occasions the Ministry of Law and Human Rights had built collaborations with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country who had a concern about refugees.

"Through collective efforts, we hope to make a real contribution in overcoming the crisis of refugees," he said.

Although not a party country in the 1951 convention, Dhana said Indonesia continues to strive to show its humanitarian commitment as a transit country for the refugees.

As a form of commitment to concern for refugees, the Government of Indonesia has ratified Presidential Regulation Number 125 of 2016 concerning the Handling of Foreign Refugees.

The regulation includes a quick response to emergency situations, proper provision of shelters, to special protection for children and people with disabilities.

He added that the policy also ensures that basic services provided to refugees do not reduce the rights of the local community.

Nevertheless, he admitted that there is a potential for social conflict between refugees and the local community. Moreover, not a few local people do not yet know Indonesia's position in handling refugees.

"If appropriate education and socialization are carried out, we believe that the community can build solidarity and togetherness with refugees as happened during the handling of Vietnamese refugees," said Dhana.