Ali, Afghan Refugee In Jakarta, Admits Stress And Had Suicide

Mohammad Ali (white shirt with a hat) during a demonstration in front of the UNHCR Kebon Sirih Building, Central Jakarta. (Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI)

JAKARTA - Muhammad Ali, another asylum seeker from Afghanistan also told the same thing happened to Sami. Ali, as his nickname is short, this refugee from Afghanistan shared his bitter taste while living in a refugee country.

Ali complained that his fate was no better than that of his other friends, fellow Afghans who had fled the deadly clutches of the Taliban.

Now the status of Ali and his other friends is unclear and they do not have official identities from their countries of origin. Even the asylum seekers often find it difficult to carry out their daily lives. Moreover, they can't get a job because of their status.

"In the current situation, like it or not, we just have to wait. If it's a work problem, we can't, let alone that, we can't even get to the airport because we bump into Immigration," said Ali to VOI in front of the Jakarta UNHCR Office, Jalan Kebon Sirih, Menteng, Tuesday 24 August.

Ali explained that a number of asylum seekers had been waiting for clarification from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for 9 years.

Because he had to wait for clarity over the years, Ali revealed that throughout 2021 alone, there were 14 asylum seekers who were depressed and even decided to commit suicide.

"That's why most people have problems. Some even commit suicide and because there are many who are stressed, many are even crazy. Especially in today's conditions," he said.

In fact, Ali continued, many fellow refugees commit suicide because they have been neglected and run out of money to survive while seeking asylum.