Why Indonesia Should Respect the Rights of Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Since the 1970s, Indonesia has experience as a transit country for asylum seekers and refugees. Despite non-membership of the Refugee Convention, it appears that Indonesia has served more than any other member state. Despite all of its efforts, Indonesia still needs to share its burden with the international community in general, especially within the region. Indonesia’s dependence on the the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will not be a sustainable option as it also depends on other countries. This paper analyzes the legal aspects of refugee management within the context of Indonesia and its legal system. First, it discusses the laws that relate to the interaction between refugees and the Indonesian people. Second, this research will discuss how Indonesia applies Indonesian national law when it comes to the treatment of refugees during their period of resettlement. Third, this research will offer a proposal regarding the appeal to the international community in sharing the burden of managing refugees as they await the process of resettlement.