Menkumham Affirms Indonesia's Commitment To Provide Protection For Refugees

JAKARTA - Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkum HAM) Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly emphasized Indonesia's commitment to providing protection and humanitarian assistance for refugees even though they are only transiting and illegal.

"Indonesia remains committed to giving special consideration based on humanitarian principles and global human rights aspirations," said Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H Laoly when receiving an honorary visit from IOM UN Migration Chief of Mission HE Mr. Louis Hoffmann as reported by Antara, Wednesday, February 9.

Basically, Indonesia does not have a legal obligation to provide permanent settlements for asylum seekers or international refugees. This is because Indonesia is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol on the Status of Refugees.

Therefore, he said, as a non-party state, Indonesia actually has no obligation to provide settlements for foreign migrants who come as refugees.

Hoffmann's visit to Jakarta was to increase cooperation and discuss the continuation of IOM and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham).

Cooperation is carried out by increasing understanding of refugee issues, assisting the government in responding to migration challenges and promoting social and economic development through migration.

This includes upholding the dignity and welfare of the refugees to their families and communities.

The existence of international refugees is a sensitive issue in international discourse. There are many reasons why people leave the country and flee to other countries. The majority are due to conflicts and threats to life safety.

Some countries reject the presence of refugees, because they are considered to disrupt internal security stability. This gave birth to many human tragedies.

The international regime for refugees is regulated in the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol on the Status of Refugees. Indonesia has not ratified the convention. Indonesia is also referred to as a non-party state. However, Indonesia did not reject the presence of the refugees.

Specifically for Indonesia, said Yasonna, the handling of refugees and asylum seekers is carried out based on Presidential Regulation Number 125 of 2016 concerning the Handling of Refugees from Overseas.

Regarding the refugees, Indonesia has coordinated with IOM and the United Nations agency dealing with refugee issues (UNHCR).

"We have also facilitated many refugees and asylum seekers scattered in various regions in Indonesia regardless of their status," he said.

Based on available data, to date there are 400 groups of international refugees scattered in various places in Indonesia. All refugees must comply with the applicable immigration regulations in Indonesia.

"Refugees and asylum seekers must comply with Indonesian immigration laws," he said.