Global crimes 11

Global Crimes (Border Criminology)

• The presentation covers global crimes, focusing on border issues related to criminology.
• The specific focus is on refugee reception in Indonesia.
• The presentation covers geography's role, containment strategies, and international involvement in the context of refugee flows.
• The presenter highlights Indonesia as a transit state, not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Refugee Reception in Indonesia

• Indonesia's archipelago (17,000 islands) creates unique geographic challenges.
• This dispersed geography makes refugee relocation and monitoring complex.
• Refugee flows into Indonesia have varied significantly (1979-1996 and 2000-2023).
• Different phases show shifts from refugee camps to immigration detention centers, reflecting evolving policies.

Geography Matters

• Indonesia has experienced large refugee flows, with notable flows during the Indonesian Reformation Era (2003-2018).
• Maps provided demonstrate refugee flows globally and into Indonesia.
• Geographical characteristics (large number of islands, porous borders) contribute to complex control and management.

Key Concepts

• Indonesia's approach to refugees is primarily reactive, responding to events and pressure rather than a consistent strategy.
• The approach may fluctuate based on political context, public sentiment, and international pressure.
• Approaches range from initial acceptance to punitive segregation and benevolence, followed by alternative detention methods such as community shelters, and autonomous living.

Galang Island Camp (1979-1996)

• The camp, a key refugee processing center, initially handled over 145,000 refugees.
• It provided temporary housing and support, primarily managed by Indonesian authorities with assistance from UN and NGO services.
• The camp highlighted varied living conditions, violence, and the issue of unequal opportunity in resettlement.

Transition Phase to Detention (mid-1990s-early 2000s)

• There was a shift from refugee camps to immigration detention centers.
• The period saw a rise in refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran using short term visas.
• Smuggling issues and Australian pushbacks were prominent.
• Some of the refugees were redirected to Lombok Island without resettlement.

Australia Set the Scene (2004-2012)

• Indonesia's relocation stance shifted to Cisarua, near Jakarta.
• New refugee waves arrived from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Somalia.
• Australian pressure and funding influenced Indonesia's role as a containment center for refugees.
• Significant movement between 2009-2012.

Immigration Detention Centres (2012-present)

• Indonesia employs 13 permanent and 20 temporary detention centers.
• Initial use was for criminal detention cases, but was expanded to refugees.
• Arbitrary detention durations, inadequate amenities, violence, and a lack of regulation were issues.

Alternatives to Detention (2011-)

• The increase in international pressure influenced the rise of Alternative to Detention (ATDs).
• These include community shelters, hotels and low-cost housing.
• These facilities were primarily under IOM oversight.
• Refugee challenges were due to issues with detention centers.
• Alternatives to detention led to issues including limited socio-economic rights, and limbo for some.

Autonomous Living and Urban Refugees (2013-)

• Refugees often resorted to informal employment in urban areas.
• This is due to legal restrictions and challenges with employment and access to services like healthcare and education.
• Increased interaction/integration was occurring, but issues of suspicion and hostility in some local communities emerged.
• The reliance on foreign aid for refugees occasionally created local conflicts.

The Rohingya Case in Aceh

• Aceh was a key transit and reception hub for Rohingya refugees.
• There was concern over the 2012-2015 period when about 112,500 refugees had been disembarked and redirected to makeshift camps.
• In 2015, 1,800 during the crisis were temporarily relocated to Medan and Pekanbaru.
• The 2020-2024 period saw a significant increase in Rohingya (1,600) moving to Aceh, with a growing number seeking to stay.

The Rohingya Case in Aceh (continued)

• Local villagers often pushed boats back out to sea due to unwillingness to relocate refugees elsewhere.
• Overcrowded camps, inadequate facilities, and government reluctance were contributing factors in their relocation reluctance.
• Reliance on foreign aid has raised tensions occasionally due to local communities.

The Rohingya Case in Aceh (continued)

• Tensions, sporadic violence, and the secluded nature of some refugee camps occurred.
• Local civil society groups and organizations have, however, provided support for necessities.
• A mixed response from Indonesian society remains.

Role of International Organizations

• UNHCR and IOM play crucial roles providing essential services, such as food and healthcare.
• However, their impact relies heavily on government cooperation, which is sometimes inconsistent.
• Donors like Australia and Europe have significant funding influence, but their focus is primarily on containment, not integration.

Current Issues and International Involvement

• Indonesia faces pressure to balance international human rights expectations with domestic conditions.
• Concerns about social and economic impacts on the country are significant.
• The complex mix between international pressures for humane treatment and local pressures for social and economic stability is evident.
• This pressure can increase tensions and unpredictability in Indonesian policy responses.

Key Takeaways

• Containment remains a significant feature of Indonesia's approach to refugees.
• The approach is often reactive to circumstances.
• Indonesia's management of refugees is often shaped by unpredictable governmental response and humanitarian concerns.
• Funding and donor influence impact the implementation of refugee policies.

Test your knowledge on Indonesia's stance regarding the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its refugee management strategies. This quiz covers key concepts related to the Galang Island Camp and the overall conditions and policies affecting refugees in Indonesia.