UNHCR Indonesia

Fact Sheet | February 2012

Operational objectives
Preserve asylum space and increase protection for refugees and asylum-seekers
Identify and promote durable solutions in the context of sub-regional harmonization
Monitor detention conditions and practice
Build national capacity to take on more asylum responsibilities
Support UNHCRs activities under the Bali Process mechanisms
Advocate accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol
Increase Indonesia 2012 contribution to UNHCRs budget



Persons of concern (31.01.2012)
Population* Total Number
Assisted by
UNHCR
Refugees 1,052 1,052
Asylum-seekers 3,275 3,275
*refugees and asylum seekers in Indonesia are categorized as
urban caseload.
Legal and Institutional Framework

Convention


Dates of Accession
1951 Refugee Convention -
1967 Protocol -
1954 Statelessness
1961 Statelessness
-
-
ICCPR 23 May 2006
ICESCR 23 May 2006
CAT 27 November 1998
CRC 5 October 1990
CEDAW 13 October 1984

Who does refugee status
determinaton?


UNHCR





Resettlement (01.01.2010 31.12.2011)
Country Submissions Acceptances Departures

Australia

911

532

522

Canada

13

7

13

USA

-

22

28
New
Zealand

-

13

13

Norway

-

3

3


Working with partners
UNHCR works with the Government, implementing
and operational partners to provide protection and to
support the needs of UNHCRs persons of concern
during their temporary stay in Indonesia pending a
durable solution. This includes not only the provision
of their basic needs to assist them during their stay
in Indonesia such as food and housing, but also
education, medical and psycho-social assistance
through community services.

Government Counterparts:
Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal & Security
Affairs; Ministry of Foreign Affairs;and, Ministry of
Law and Human Rights.

Implementing Partners:
Church World Service (CWS)

Operational Partners: International Organization for
Migration (IOM)



Contact Information
UNHCR Indonesia
Tel: +62-21-3912888
Fax: +62-21-3912777
insja@unhcr.org


Operational activities and highlights
UNHCR continues to promote the ratification of the refugee instruments through capacity building efforts and
advocacy activities with the Government including a series of workshops, meetings, briefings, and roundtables
as well as other promotional activities. The country has yet to adopt asylum legislation and in the absence of
national asylum system, UNHCR carries out mandate RSD.

There has been a significant increase of arrivals in Indonesia since 2009. The number of arrivals reached
3,230 in 2009, a 839% increase from the 385 arrival in 2008. Subsequently, this has also led to an increase of
the number of persons of concern (POCs) held in detention centres. UNHCR continues to pursue its advocacy
for the release of POCs from detention. While, the Directorate General of Immigration responded to this
request by releasing some refugees and families to IOM community housing schemes, there is no uniform
approach throughout the country leaving POCs in a difficult situation as they face long periods of detention
while waiting for a durable solution. Of particular concern is the detention of minors and persons with specific
needs.

As of end of January 2012, there were 3,275 asylum-seekers and 1,052 refugees registered with UNHCR
Jakarta. During the month of January alone, 315 persons (264 cases) were registered, with the largest
number of asylum-seekers came from Afghanistan (66.6%), followed by Iran (9.8%) and Somalia (6.7%).
Meanwhile, in January 43 cases were interviewed 1
st
instance. As much as 26 cases are recognized as
refugees, 25 cases rejected 1
st
instance and one case is rejected on appeal. At the end of January 2012, 914
cases are waiting to be interviewed, out of whom 53.1% are in detention centres across Indonesia. In addition,
the No show rate and onward movements from Malaysia and towards Australia remain serious challenges for
the operation and the RSD procedure.

Since 2002, UNHCR Indonesia has actively participated in the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking
in Persons and related Transnational Crime. The office in Jakarta continues to work closely with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in the implementation of the decisions taken by the 4
th
Bali Regional Ministerial Conference
(March 2011) as regards the operationalization of a Regional Cooperation Framework and the establishment
of Regional Supporting Office (RSO) to address shared problems involving irregular movements and refugees.

In January 2012, the Government of Indonesia confirmed its US$50,000 contribution to UNHCRs programme
in 2012. Indonesias last contribution to the HCs programme had been registered in 2001 with an amount of
$US 20,000.




UNHCR presence


Offices comprise: Country office in Jakarta with
staff out-posted in each of the IOM offices in Medan,
Tanjung Pinang, Makassar, Kupang and Pontianak.
Staff Comprise: Regular national staff (32), regular
international staff (6), 8 seconded staff.









2012 Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Population Group Budget in USD
PILLAR 1
Refugee programme

5,735,087
PILLAR 2
Stateless programme
173,602

TOTAL BUDGET


5,908,689