Afghan Refugees Protest in Pekanbaru, Demand Resettlement

Hundreds of Afghan refugees in Pekanbaru, Riau, organized a protest in front of the headquarters of Ministry of Law and Human Right Regional Office to demand resettlement to a third country after almost a decade in the province.

The protesters started with a long march from MTQ Building in Pekanbaru by also bringing signs and delivering speeches about resettlement.

“We ask you to wait and be grateful of what has been given up until now. While waiting, please maintain order in Indonesia, especially in Riau,” the Office’s head of administration Achmad Brahmantyo Machmud said on Tuesday, July 26, as reported by Antara.

According to him, there are 13,000 refugees in Indonesia, but annual resettlement quota is only 900 individuals.

The refugees’ spokesperson Arif Alizada said all the refugees only wanted to be resettled because it is one of their human rights.

“After more than nine years here, there has been no answer and certainty. We’re tired of uncertain life without rights,” Alizada said.

Meanwhile, head of Pekanbaru’s Immigration Detention Center (Rudenim) Yanto Ardianto ensured refugees that all their complaints were received while also asking them to remain patient.

“Statistically, the number of refugees in Riau has decrease because we also try to fulfill their rights to get them resettled, so they can have better lives. Therefore, we hope they can remain grateful and patient,” Ardianto said.

On the occasion, representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Muhammad Rafqi explained that resettlement process is not part of the Indonesian government’s authority, but that of the third country. And it also depends on quota, the country’s preparedness, and the attitude of each refugee.