©UNHCR/A. Juffrian A Rohingya child refugee sitting on a bus.
In the recent weeks, there has been a proliferation of social media posts regarding the recent boat arrivals of Rohingya refugees in Aceh.
Here are some facts on Rohingya refugees that you need to know:
1. For decades, Rohingya have faced extreme suffering in Myanmar. They have been denied access to citizenship and documentation; prevented from accessing health care, education, and work opportunities; confined to camps and villages; and subjected to extreme violence.
2. Rohingya did not want to leave Myanmar. They were forced to flee. Most Rohingya tell UNHCR that they hope to return home to Myanmar when conditions allow it.
3. Most Rohingya refugees – approximately 1,000,000 individuals – fled to camps in neighboring Bangladesh since three decades ago and mostly in 2017 following series of large-scale violence and human rights violations. Security conditions in the cramped Bangladesh camps have significantly deteriorated over the past year, driving some Rohingya families to undertake extremely dangerous journeys in search of safety and stability.
4. Rohingya are not only seeking safety in Indonesia. The majority of Rohingya have fled to – and been given refugee status in – Bangladesh (>960,000), Malaysia (>107,000), and India (>22,000).
5. Because they are stateless, there is no legal pathway that allows Rohingya refugees to move around the region. As a result, they often take perilous boat journeys offered by smugglers.
6. Over 70% of Rohingya who have disembarked in Indonesia over the past month are women and children.
7. Boat journeys may take weeks, often on vessels that are not seaworthy and without adequate food, clean water, or sanitation. UNHCR also has reports of physical and sexual abuse aboard boats.
8. Rohingya refugees are continuing to seek safety through dangerous journeys at sea out of desperation, despite the risks. Last year, 2022, was one of the deadliest years on record for Rohingya refugee maritime movements in Southeast Asia, with 348 people tragically confirmed dead or missing, including children.
9. Rohingya refugees did not come to Indonesia to exploit Indonesia or the hospitality of its people. They are coming out of desperation due to increased killings, kidnappings, and insecurity where they were previously living.
10. Rohingya refugees know – and are reminded by UNHCR – that they are guests in Indonesia and are obliged to follow the laws and customs in this country.
11. All countries, including Indonesia, acknowledge that seeking asylum is a basic human right. States are obliged to provide protection to refugees, including Rohingya refugees. In Indonesia, the 1945 Constitutional Law and the 2016 Presidential Regulation #125 also stipulate refugee acceptance and handling in the country.
12. UNHCR is in Indonesia to assist the government in managing refugee issues and to help find solutions for refugees. While refugees stay in Indonesia temporarily until a long-term solution is identified for them, UNHCR works in coordination with the authorities and in cooperation with partners, donors and other stakeholders to ensure the refugees needs are met and that they can live in dignity.
13. Rohingya refugees have proven themselves to be resilient and resourceful and, if given the opportunity, are willing to give back and contribute to the communities where they are hosted.
14. UNHCR and partners seek to support the local communities that are hosting Rohingya through community improvement projects and engaging community members in the response efforts.
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