NO SAFE HAVEN
try to move on ‘illegally’ – usually at the hands of
human traffickers, once again exposing them to
physical abuse, extortion and exportation. Initially,
refugees’ freedom of movement while living in
the shelters is tightly restricted, and Indonesian
security forces closely guard the building perimeters.
However, after several months, security is relaxed,
and authorities “turn a blind eye” when Rohingya
refugees escape, often enlisting human traffickers
to help them reach Malaysia.171 Local NGO
workers expressed dismay that there was no way
of tracking or monitoring refugees, particularly
refugee children, after they disappear from the
shelters. For the most part, they are forced to
wait until community networks in Malaysia report
that a particular individual has arrived in the
country safely.
The situation in the shelters themselves can also
present protection concerns for children. As well
as restrictions on movement, there are reports of
domestic violence.172 Moreover, while the Acehnese
community has provided support and assistance to
Rohingya refugees, the generally poor economic
situation in the area has sparked concerns about
communal tensions unless programmes also
specifically target the host community.
28
Refugees in Indonesia do not have the legal right
to work, although they do often engage in informal
income-generating activities, which puts them
at increased risk of arrest if they or their places
of work are raided or reported. As with other
communities, men and older adolescent boys
without documentation are disproportionately
at risk. However, in 2018, the Director General
of Immigration announced an end to the regime
of detaining refugees and asylum-seekers on the
basis of their legal status, and today, detained
refugees are usually quickly released following
intervention by UNHCR.173 Despite this, and
despite the clear needs of refugee communities, the
Indonesian government has tended to shy away
from discussion of refugees’ right to work, instead,
talking about “empowering” them in exchange for
financial compensation.174