Volume 3, No. 4 April 2024 (0000-0000)
p-ISSN 2980-4868 | e-ISSN 2980-4841
https://ajesh.ph/index.php/gp
Rohingya
Refugees: A Study of Indonesian Government Policies
Ikram
A. Taha1*, Muhammad Syaroni Rofii2, Stanislaus Riyanta3
1,2,3Universitas Indonesia, Depok, DKI Jakarta,
Indonesia.
Email: ikelvis85@gmail.com1*, Muhammadsyaroni@ui.ac.id2, stanislaus@ui.ac.id3
ABSTRACT
The Rohingya
refugee crisis is a complex and pressing humanitarian issue in the Southeast
Asia region. Conflict in Myanmar has forced thousands of Rohingya to flee
seeking protection in neighboring countries. This research aims to evaluate the
Indonesian government's policy in handling the Rohingya refugee crisis and
provide recommendations for future policy improvements. The research method
used is a qualitative approach with descriptive and comparative analysis. The
analysis results indicate that Indonesia's policy towards Rohingya refugee
flows reflects a commitment to humanitarian principles and national security.
However, evaluating the implemented policies is necessary to understand their
effectiveness. The implications of the Rohingya refugee flow for Indonesia's
national security include risks of regional and global instability as well as
threats to the security of individuals and groups. Indonesia's strategies for
preventing and mitigating the impact of Rohingya refugees involve strengthening
border surveillance, regional cooperation, refugee status organization, and
social integration. Recommendations from this research include improving
coordination between agencies, enhancing government capacity in managing
refugee crises, and increasing protection and assistance to Rohingya refugees.
This research is expected to contribute to understanding Indonesia's government
policies towards the Rohingya refugee crisis and provide recommendations to
enhance policy effectiveness.
Keywords: Rohingya
Refugees; Indonesian; Security; Strategy; Evaluation; Policy.
INTRODUCTION
Since mid-November 2023, Aceh has
become a destination for 1,543 Rohingya refugees with a total of 9 boats
arriving. Most of the refugees were accommodated in the former Lhokseumawe immigration office (514 people) and in Pidie County (755 people)
Databoks show that there are 1,094,198
Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers without citizenship from Myanmar. The
majority of refugees are in Bangladesh (965,467), followed by Malaysia
(105,762) and India (22,110). Indonesia is the country that hosts the least
Rohingya refugees, which is 859 people. These refugees do not have citizenship
status from Myanmar and are counted as Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers by
UNHCR. This humanitarian situation has worsened since February 2021 due to
conflict and political upheaval in Myanmar. In Aceh, the fate of Rohingya
refugees is increasingly unclear due to resistance from unscrupulous students,
among whom some intimidate by forcibly dismantling refugee tents, officials
tasked with anticipating risks by moving refugees across the Sabang mayor's
office.
Indonesia, according to
The tragedy of Rohingya refugees is a
complex and urgent humanitarian issue, especially in the Southeast Asian
region. The conflict in Myanmar has prompted thousands of Rohingya to flee
violence and destruction, seeking refuge in neighboring
countries. As a country with high humanitarian principles, Indonesia has taken
steps to respond to this crisis. However, an evaluation of the policies that
have been implemented is necessary to understand their effectiveness and
provide better recommendations. In this context, this study aims to evaluate
the Indonesian government's policy in handling the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Some of the main questions that will be answered through this research include:
how is the analysis of the Indonesian government's policy on the flow of
Rohingya refugees? What are the implications of the Rohingya refugee flow for
Indonesia's national security? What is the Indonesian government's strategy for
preventing and mitigating the impact of Rohingya refugees on national security?
This study aims to evaluate the
Indonesian government's policies in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis and
provide recommendations for future policy improvements. The results of this
study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the Indonesian
government's policy on the Rohingya refugee crisis, as well as provide
recommendations that can be used to improve the effectiveness of the policy.
This research will focus on the Indonesian government's policy in handling the
Rohingya refugee crisis, taking into account aspects of national security and
its implications. This research will also use a qualitative approach with
descriptive and comparative analysis methods.
RESEARCH METHODS
This research method uses a
qualitative approach with descriptive and comparative analysis
The data sources used in this study
include secondary data from a variety of sources, including government reports
(Yusuf, 2016), reports from international agencies such as UNHCR, and related
academic studies. The data collection technique used is the study of
documentation and content analysis of these documents. The data analysis
technique used is descriptive analysis to explain the Indonesian government's
policy in handling the Rohingya refugee crisis. In addition, comparative
analysis is used to compare Indonesia's policies with those of other countries
in dealing with similar crises.
Using this approach, the study is
expected to understand better the Indonesian government's policies in
addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis and better recommendations for future
policy improvements.
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
Analysis of Indonesian Government
Policy on Rohingya Refugee Flows
The Indonesian government's policy
towards the Rohingya refugee influx reflects its commitment to humanitarian
principles and national security
Indonesia accepts Rohingya refugees
openly, citing humanity as enshrined in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
Although the number of Rohingya refugees Indonesia receives is relatively small
compared to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Malaysia
In dealing with Rohingya refugees, the
government also prioritizes economic and social empowerment and integrating
refugees into local communities
Government Policy Evaluation
The handling of the Rohingya refugee
crisis in terms of Indonesian government policy still has several evaluation
records referring to several important aspects. First, an evaluation can be
made of the effectiveness of the policy in providing protection and
humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees. This includes assessments of
refugees' access to health, education, and employment and perceived minimal and
limited success in integrating them into local communities. On the other hand,
evaluations can also be made of government responses to refugees' security and
welfare risks. This includes an assessment of the measures the government has
taken to prevent discrimination, violence, or exploitation against Rohingya
refugees, as well as success in raising public awareness of refugee conditions
and human rights; in this case, many of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)
The consistency of government policy
in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis involves assessing the conformity of
policies with humanitarian and national security principles, as well as the
government's ability to maintain policy sustainability and adaptability in the
face of the changing dynamics of the situation. It needs to be continuously
evaluated in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and UNHCR
Conducting general policy evaluations
involving various relevant parties, including local governments,
non-governmental organizations, and international institutions such as UNHCR,
is important. A comprehensive and collaborative evaluation can assist the
government in identifying successes, weaknesses, and potential improvements in
its Rohingya crisis response policies.
Regulatory Evaluation
As explained earlier, the current
handling of refugees in Indonesia refers to Law Number 37 of 1999 concerning
Foreign Relations and Presidential Regulation Number 125 of 2016 concerning
Handling of Overseas Refugees. There are positive consequences of the
regulation, which is to provide a legal basis for the government in dealing
with refugees. The regulation also demonstrates the Indonesian government's
commitment to protecting the rights of refugees. However, there are negative
aspects that need to be overcome because the existing regulations are not fully
comprehensive, including the handling of refugees based on the implementation
of related agencies regulated in Presidential Regulation 125 of 2016 the
regulation confirms that refugee shelter is the authority of the Regional
Government, but often the community demands the Immigration Agency in the
region to shelter and place refugees in Immigration Detention Centers, while in
terms of regulations, there is no provision in Law Number 6 of 2011 Immigration
and Implementing Regulations which states that refugees are to be placed in
Immigration Detention Centers. Therefore, various
perspectives and inputs from various parties are needed to revise regulations
related to refugees.
Rohingya Refugee Flow for National
Security
The flow of Rohingya refugees can have
various risks to Indonesia's national security, which can be outlined by
referring to relevant theories. First, from the perspective of structural
realism, increasing the number of refugees could pose a risk of regional and
global instability due to potential conflict and competition over resources.
The theory highlights that refugee flows can be a destabilizing factor that
governments need to be wary of.
Secondly, resource conflict theory is
also relevant in this context. The arrival of Rohingya refugees can trigger
economic and social competition with local communities, especially in terms of
access to resources and employment opportunities. This rivalry can increase group
tensions and potentially disrupt national stability
From a human security standpoint, the
arrival of Rohingya refugees can also threaten the security of individuals and
groups. Refugees who do not receive adequate protection can be vulnerable to
discrimination, violence, or exploitation. Therefore, governments must ensure
that refugees' human rights are respected and protected to prevent threats to
human security.
In managing the implications of the
Rohingya refugee flow for national security, the government can apply a
balanced approach between national security and humanity. Governments also need
to work with neighboring countries and international
institutions to manage refugee flows in a way that respects human rights and
minimizes their negative impact on national stability.
Implication Analysis
The implications of the Rohingya
refugee flow for Indonesia's national security involve a number of important
aspects. From the standpoint of resource conflict theory, the arrival of
refugees can create intense economic competition with local populations,
especially in terms of access to jobs and other economic resources. Human
security theory is also relevant, given that Rohingya refugees are vulnerable
to violence, exploitation, and discrimination, which can threaten the security
of individuals and groups. In addition, the theory of structural realism
highlights the potential for regional and global instability due to the
increasing number of refugees, as this can create conflict between countries
and competition over resources. In the face of such implications, it is
important for the Indonesian government to pursue a balanced policy, taking
into account national security interests while respecting human rights and
humanitarian principles. Collaboration with neighboring
countries and international institutions is also important to effectively
manage refugee flows and mitigate their negative impact on regional security
and stability.
Government of Indonesia's Strategy to
Prevent/Mitigate the Impact of Rohingya Refugees on National Security
The Indonesian government's strategy
to prevent and mitigate the impact of Rohingya refugees on national security
involves a comprehensive set of measures. First, strengthening border controls
is a top priority
Second, regional cooperation is key.
Indonesia needs to garner support from neighboring
countries, especially Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well as through ASEAN to
address the root causes of Rohingya refugees. This cooperation is important to
address the regional impact of this crisis and find long-term solutions
In addition, the implementation of
refugee status is another important step. Indonesia needs to establish a
refugee status determination process in a transparent manner and in accordance
with international standards to ensure that those who qualify receive
protection in accordance with international law
Finally, suppose there is a rejection
from the public about the arrival of refugees to Indonesian territory or
refugees who are already in Indonesian territory. In that case, the Government
of Indonesia can formulate policies clearly realized by the formulation of
regulations that affirm whether Indonesia can accept refugees into Indonesian
territory or carry out a politics of refusing refugees at the first opportunity
when refugees are known to be entering Indonesian territorial waters.
Comparative Analysis of Refugee
Management by the Government of Indonesia with ASEAN Countries
The Indonesian government faces challenges
similar to those of other Southeast Asian countries in handling refugees, as
revealed in several studies. Indonesia, like Malaysia and Thailand, has
different local policies for managing forced migration, thus requiring
attention to best practices from neighboring
countries to improve the effectiveness of refugee policies
CONCLUSION
The Indonesian government's approach
to the Rohingya refugee influx reveals a dual commitment to humanitarian
principles and national security interests. Despite not ratifying the 1951
Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, Indonesia has demonstrated adherence
to international legal principles by openly accepting Rohingya refugees,
emphasizing humanity as outlined in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, and
prioritizing their economic and social integration. However, the influx poses
multifaceted security risks, including potential conflicts and resource
competition from a structural realist perspective, as well as threats to human
security. Addressing these challenges necessitates a revision of existing
regulations to clarify the roles of various ministries and institutions,
ensuring refugees' rights are protected and preventing security threats. To
mitigate these risks, Indonesia must strengthen border controls, enhance
regional cooperation, and formulate clear policies regarding the acceptance or
rejection of refugees entering its territory.
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Ikram A. Taha, Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, Stanislaus Riyanta (2024) |
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First publication right: Asian Journal of Engineering,
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