On 20th September 2020, a public webinar discussing aout refugees’ rights to healthcare and social needs is conducted. The webinar is attended by SUAKA, a legal organization striving to assist refugees, and Sandya Institute, an institution for peace and human rights.
So, what is a refugee? According to 1951 Convention Act, Refugee is a group of people who fled their nation (nation here refers to his/her nationality) because of rational fears of persecution. This persecution can be caused by racism, war, disasters, and/or political conflicts, all resulting in the people not trusting their own country, and fled to another one for sanctuary. This is not to be confused with Internally Displaced People (IDP), which holds similar concept but IDP’s don’t cross national borders.
In Indonesia, there are 13,541 refugees spread across the country, which is relatively few compared to the neighbouring ASEAN countries. Most notable, Myanmar with 773,652 refugees, and are notoriously known to have many acts of violence against refugees. Most refugees in Indonesia originate from Afghanistan, and most don’t actually want to come here; they were travelling to Australia, and stopped in Indonesia for transits. Although, some do come here for social support, as there has been a community here for Afghanistan refugees.
Socioeconomically, refugees don’t have ID cards, they usually only have the one UNHCR issue them, which subjects them with potential detainment and no rights for job. Services available to them are very limited, including in law, rights, education, and healthcare. Independent housing is also limited. Their income is very limited, whereas expense is at the all-time high, coupled with lack of funds and supports, they usually live in a poor situation.
In COVID-19 situation, refugees are categorized as vulnerable people, and are subject to Protokol Kesehatan Pemerintah, but in reality, they suffer from lack of facilities and medical staffs, as well as refugees with pre-existing disease, which needs more resource than what’s available. On top of that, communication problem is abundant, as many refugees can’t speak English fluently. It was stressed that healthcare access overall is poor, and mental problems are not rare, as many seek asylum or even commit suicide.
So, what can we and the government do? A lawful approach is necessary to cover all refugees’ basic rights, and public forums can be opened. But those are large scale approach, and we can’t get them right fast, we can start by actually coming to a refugee centre and talk to them. We can also help diminish stigmatization over refugees, and we can support helps and outreaches, which is in accordance with right based approach and whole society approach. We must treat them as a fellow human being.
