Jakarta, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute – On Friday (04/07/2014) Jakarta Legal Aid Institute successfully held a training program called ‘Refugee Protection: Law, Procedure and Policy in Indonesia’. The training was initiated by LBH Jakarta and SUAKA (Indonesian Civil Society Network for Refugee Rights Protection).
This training was held to increase the capacity development of the participants. Additionally, this training is also aimed to develop the knowledge of participants on the problems related to refuges.
The speaker for this training was Adam Severson, J.D. acting as Interim Refugee Legal Aid Coordinator. Adam elaborated several important information regarding the factual conditions of the refugees in Indonesia. The topics brought by Adam are namely regarding International Refugee Law, Refugee Status Determination in Indonesia, The Purpose of Legal Aid, The Resettlement Process dan Key Refugee Advocacy Issues in Indonesia. To enhance their analyses comprehension, Adam asked the participants to form groups and gave case examples such as Titsbit, Seng, Hamid, and Fatima.
The problem regarding refugees is a neverending serious problem. Indonesia, as a country that is unable to ratify The 1951 Refugees Convention and The 1967 Protocol, cannot refuse their incomings due to Indonesia being a country that highly regards human rights. Geographically, Indonesia is located very strategic through its waters, as it is also has become a supporting factor for refugees to go to other asylum recipient countries such as Australia etc. Within their arrival to countries that have yet to ratify The 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol, it has undoubtedly caused new problems for them, such as their unclear status as a citizen and they are undeniably susceptive to discrimination. Their fates in a foreign country are in limbo. Consequently, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is required to step in to play an important role in this matter. As a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, UNHCR sets one’s status whereas he/she shall be defined a refuge or an asylum seeker. In addition, support from several parties such as Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, SUAKA, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and other social institutes are very much in demand to accompany the advocation process for the refuges.
The training that was held by Jakarta Legal Aid Institute was participated by the Assistant Public Defenders, representatives from Dompet Duafa, and representatives by the Depok Advocation Team for Rohingya Refugees. The biggest hope from this training is to create legal aid workers that has the skill in advocacy for refugees. Furthermore, it is also to create legal aid workers who are much dedicated and professional on international issues. (MJ)
Translated by: Tiyana Sigi
