Refugees from Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia gathered in UNHCR Jakarta office to protest the agency's slow resettlement process on Feb. 6, 2017. (Brilio.net/Jefri Aries)
Dozens of refugees originated from Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia gathered this morning in front of United Nations Refugee Agency to protest the agencys slow progress in processing their status in Indonesia.
They carried posters expressing their frustration,from UNHCR do you forget us?, Does anyone pay attention to the singles?, to I lost 3 years of my life in here without any activity.
The protesters demanded UNHCR to speed up their process to move to a third country for a permanent resettlement. They also urged the agency to push for a clear legal status for those who have stayed in Indonesia for years should the country wants to take them permanently.
Most of the protesters have been residing in Indonesia for more than three years but do not have clear legal residential status, making it impossible for them to get a job and make a living here.
They are also protesting UNHCR's alleged discrimination towards single refugees. The agency allegedly works fast only towards those with families but neglects processes of single male refugees.
A Sudanese refugee, Omar, told us that he paid USD 1,200 to escape his country and reach Indonesia only to meet uncertainty here.
I went from Somalia to Nairobi, Kenya, to Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and Medan. Last night I arrived in Jakarta (for this protest), he said.
I dont care which country I will go next. Were just seeking for a better life. Even if they dont want us here and send us to another country, we have no problem.
Indonesia hosts up to 14,000 refugees and asylum seekers, according to UNHCR. About 7,500 have been recognized as refugees, though only 610 were resettled in other countries last year.
Indonesia has just recently published a presidential regulation on international refugee handling.
(brl/red)
