Jakarta, 14th May 2025
Saturday, 3rd May 2025, marked a pivotal moment for Australia as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a second term following a landslide victory for the Labor Party. As Albanese retains his position, regional refugee management emerges as a critical priority, given the commitments and evolving geopolitical dynamics throughout his first term of leadership. It is then confirmed that on his first visit after being sworn as the reelected Prime Minister, he will travel to Indonesia to hold a political dialogue with the Indonesian Government, as he stated that the relationship with Indonesia is important.
This visit is a great momentum for civil society to reflect, urge, and recommend both the Australian and Indonesian government for the greater good of refugee protection in the region. With Indonesia currently hosting over 12,000 refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom face limited rights and opportunities, Australia remains a key destination for resettlement and alternative pathways. Australia has been considered a country that offers the prospect of safety and stability through its established refugee programs. This disparity underscores the urgent need for both governments to collaborate on sustainable solutions.
The Complexity of Indonesia-Australia Relationship on Refugee Management
Throughout the years, The Indonesia-Australia relationship on refugee management has long been complex and politically sensitive. Australia has since a long time ago blocked any possibility for resettlement to those refugees in Indonesia who arrived after July 2014. Additionally, under the Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA), Australia has allocated significant funding to Indonesia, channeled through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with the primary aim of stemming refugee flows to Australian shores. While this financial support has bolstered Indonesia’s operational capacity to manage refugee arrivals, it has raised important questions about equitable responsibility-sharing, a fundamental principle of international refugee protection frameworks.
In a more practical example, the Indonesian civil society coalition has particularly emphasized the urgent need for human rights protections for refugees and asylum seekers. In recent years, multiple attempts by refugees to reach Australia by boat from Indonesia have resulted in forced returns (refoulement), a clear violation of the international non-refoulement principle. Those intercepted face indefinite detention upon return to Indonesia, compounding their vulnerability. These recurring incidents highlight critical gaps that both governments must address through immediate policy reforms and strengthened protections.
Refugees are Stranded in Indonesia, Access to Durable Solutions Has Become More Crucial
Refugees in Indonesia face prolonged uncertainty, trapped and stuck in “limbo”. As a non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Indonesia offers no formal rights to work, proper education, or comprehensive affordable access to healthcare. The three internationally recognized durable solutions, namely resettlement, local integration, and repatriation, remain largely inaccessible. Local integration is blocked by political and administrative barriers, while repatriation remains unsafe due to ongoing conflicts in countries of origin. This leaves resettlement as the only viable option, yet global resettlement quotas have declined sharply, with some countries closing programs entirely. Consequently, refugees in Indonesia face wait times of 8-10 years or more for resettlement opportunities, an untenable situation demanding immediate action.
As global resettlement opportunities shrink, Australia must strengthen its leadership in refugee protection. During his first term, Prime Minister Albanese made progress by granting permanent visas to approximately 20,000 asylum seekers holding temporary permits. As a result of resettlement opportunity difficulties, refugees have experienced the negative impact. According to the Pathway to Refugee Wellbeing study, there is a direct link between living with uncertainty and elevated levels of PTSD and depression symptoms. Specifically, refugees with more pronounced PTSD and depression symptoms tended to struggle more than others when confronted with uncertain future scenarios. With refugees in Indonesia facing decade-long waits, Australia must now: (1) significantly increase its annual resettlement quota, and (2) expand alternative pathways including private sponsorship programs, labor mobility schemes, and family reunification options. These measures would provide safe, legal alternatives to dangerous boat journeys while upholding Australia’s humanitarian traditions.
Critically, all durable solutions and alternative pathways must be implemented with full transparency and equitable access for refugees worldwide, including those stranded in Indonesia. Fair and open processes are essential to ensure that the most vulnerable refugees, regardless of nationality or background, have a meaningful chance at protection and stability
A Call for a Better Treatment for Refugees in the Region
Hence, the visit of PM Anthony Albanes to Indonesia presents a pivotal opportunity to transform refugee policy in the region. President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Anthony Albanese’s Government must prioritize a human rights based approach that aligns with international law, ensuring protection and dignity for refugees. This requires concrete commitments to: (1) end indefinite detention, (2) expand legal pathways, and (3) uphold the principle of non-refoulement, establishing a new standard for regional cooperation on refugee rights
Local Civil Society Organizations have played a crucial role in refugee management thus far. There are massive efforts in direct assistance, empowerment efforts, and protection actions towards refugees. However, CSOs are facing limited resources, leaving a massive gap in the continuous efforts in refugee protection in Indonesia for the long run. Governments are then crucial to step up. Supporting CSOs including with the refugee community will be key.
Other scenarios are to uphold alternative solutions for refugees. Solution such as labour mobility pathways, educational pathways, or private sponsorship will be important. The implementation of it will help refugees to increase their options. Thus, determining and distributing information regarding mechanism, clear requirements, and individuals criteria to access this alternative pathway. Supporting CSOs in Indonesia to help refugees match with the criterias set by the Australian Government to access this alternative pathway is also key.
Therefore, monitoring the upcoming visit of PM Anthony Albanese, we – the Indonesian Civil Society Coalition – urges both Indonesian and Australian Government to increase human rights based approach for refugees management, with immediate action on the following priorities:
- Review the the policy that denied resettlement to Australia for asylum seekers and refugees who registered with UNHCR Indonesia after July 1, 2014 and lift the ban through gradual acceptance of resettlement;
- Establish a rights-based bilateral framework for refugee protection to guarantee a safe passage and dignified treatment;
- Expand resettlement quotas and complementary pathways, including through family reunification, labour mobility programs, and especially community sponsorship programs reflecting the support of Australian people towards refugees;
- Support Indonesian civil society organization through resources support and multi-stakeholder collaboration, to fulfil rights protection of refugees, empower refugees while waiting for solutions, and to prepare them to life in resettlement Country;
- End indefinite detention and uphold the principle of non-refoulement.
This visit must translate into concrete actions that place humanity at the core of regional refugee policy.
Contact Person
Angga Reynady (SUAKA): +6281949434214
Annabella Arawinda (SUAKA): +6285121230272
Endorsing Organization
- Perkumpulan SUAKA Untuk Perlindungan Hak Pengungsi (SUAKA)
- Geutanyoe Foundation
- Perhimpunan Bantuan Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia Indonesia (PBHI)
- The Aceh Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (KontraS Aceh)
- Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Masyarakat (LBHM)
- Human Rights Working Group (HRWG)
- Yayasan Kemanusiaan Madani Indonesia (YKMI)
- Indonesian Solidarity
- Refugee Action Coalition
The bilingual (Indonesian and English) version of this press release can be downloaded from the following document: