Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Amid rising anti-refugee sentiment in various regions across Indonesia, the Medan city administration has reaffirmed its commitment to a humanitarian approach by continuing to allow asylum seekers to temporarily reside in the city while they await resettlement in third countries.

Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas emphasized that the city would not allow the kind of protests and forced evictions against refugees that have occurred elsewhere.

"In principle, we are open to accepting refugees on humanitarian grounds. For the Medan City Government, the refugee issue is not merely an administrative matter, it also involves humanitarian values and the preservation of social harmony in our multicultural city," Rico said during a meeting on Monday with representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

"I believe that with a humanistic approach and strong coordination among institutions, the presence of refugees of refugees and asylum seekers will not become a social burden in Medan. On the contrary, it will highlight Medan's identity as a tolerant, open and compassionate city," he added.

He called on the public to treat asylum seekers residing in Medan with dignity and respect, while urging the UNHCR and IOM to maintain close coordination with local government agencies to ensure effective and humane management.

However, Mayor Rico also reminded the asylum seekers currently staying in Medan to respect local norms and contribute to public order.

"Those temporarily residing in Medan must ensure the safety and comfort of the local community, especially those living near refugee shelters," he cautioned.

UNHCR Protection Associate Oktina Hafanti reported that approximately 1,200 refugees are currently residing in Medan, the largest city in Indonesia outside of Java.

"Most of them come from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, Somalia and Myanmar," she said.

These refugees are accommodated in 12 different shelters across the city. To support their daily needs, adult refugees receive a monthly allowance of Rp 1.75 million, while children receive Rp 800,000, provided by the IOM.

According to Oktina, many refugees have been living in Medan for up to 10 years, as third countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have become increasingly reluctant to accept them for resettlement.

Even the US, which has traditionally hosted one of the largest numbers of refugees globally, has recently closed its doors to new arrivals.

She also added that many resettlement countries now prioritize skilled refugees.

"To address this issue, UNHCR has introduced a special resettlement pathway for skilled refugees through the 'Talent Without Borders' program. Additionally, if refugees have family members in third countries, they may be able to reunite through our private sponsorship program," Oktina explained.

Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and, as such, is under no legal obligation to host refugees.

Nevertheless, the country has for decades permitted refugees to stay temporarily on humanitarian grounds while they await resettlement in third countries.

Public sentiment toward refugees in Indonesia was initially sympathetic. However, in recent years, attitudes have soured, driven by a growing refugee population, allegations of misconduct by some individuals and the widespread circulation of disinformation on social media, particularly targeting Rohingya refugees.

As of now, there are 11,972 refugees registered with the UNHCR office in Indonesia, with children accounting for 29 percent of the total registered population.

Source: https://asianews.network/indonesias-medan-reaffirms-humanitarian-support-for-refugees