Jakarta, 14th May 2025
On 3rd May 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a second term after a landslide victory for the Labor Party. His first visit as the re-elected Prime Minister is set to be to Indonesia, reflecting the importance of the bilateral relationship.
This visit is a crucial moment for civil society to urge both governments to strengthen refugee protection. With Indonesia hosting over 12,000 refugees facing limited rights and Australia being a key destination for resettlement as it is seen to offer safety and stability, both countries must work together on sustainable solutions.
The Indonesia-Australia relationship on refugee management has been complex and politically sensitive. Since July 2014, Australia has blocked resettlement for refugees arriving in Indonesia and provided significant funding through IOM under the Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA) to prevent refugee flows to Australia. While this funding has enhanced Indonesia’s capacity to manage arrivals, it raises questions about fair responsibility-sharing.
Indonesian civil society has highlighted the urgent need for human rights protection for refugees. Multiple attempts by refugees to reach Australia by boat have led to forced returns (refoulement), violating the international non-refoulement principle. Those intercepted face indefinite detention in Indonesia, worsening their vulnerability. These incidents show critical gaps that require immediate policy reforms and stronger protections from both governments.
Refugees in Indonesia face prolonged uncertainty, trapped in “limbo” without formal rights to work, education, or affordable healthcare. The three durable solutions—resettlement, local integration, and repatriation—are largely inaccessible due to political and safety barriers. With global resettlement opportunities shrinking, refugees are left with wait times of 8-10 years for resettlement, a situation demanding immediate action.
Australia must strengthen its leadership by increasing its resettlement quota and expanding alternative pathways such as private sponsorship, labor mobility, and family reunification. These measures would provide safe, legal alternatives to dangerous boat journeys while upholding Australia’s humanitarian values. All solutions must be implemented transparently and equitably, ensuring that vulnerable refugees, including those stranded in Indonesia, have access to meaningful protection and stability.
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:
1. 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;
2. Establish a rights-based bilateral framework for refugee protection to guarantee a safe passage and dignified treatment;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. 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.
Read more about this Joint Statement through: https://suaka.or.id/joint-statement-civil-society-coalition-urges-re-elected-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-and-indonesian-government-to-strengthen-refugee-rights-and-durable-solutions-for-refugees/
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