Jakarta –
For Afghan asylum seekers demonstration in front of the office UNHCR, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (24/8) yesterday. The demonstrators demanded clarity on their fate in Indonesia so that they could be moved to permanent settlements in third countries as refugees.
Chaos had colored this mass demonstration of asylum seekers. The crowd and police officers had time engage in push action.
The demo was also attended by a number of mothers and children. They carried a number of posters, among which were written “We are mentally exhausted by long processing times”.
A number of Afghan citizens were also detained by the police. The crowd finally dispersed after meeting with UNHCR representatives.
Here are the facts about the chaos at the Afghan asylum seekers demonstration:
1. Mass Demands of Asylum Seekers
In the demonstration, the masses demanded that UNHCR provide clarity regarding their permanent settlements in third countries. One of the asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Hakmat said his fate had been adrift since 2013.
“We are holding this protest to pressure UNHCR, the Australian government and other countries that accept refugees from Indonesia to work on the resettlement process which has taken too long. Thousands of refugees have been waiting here in Indonesia for 8-10 years to be resettled,” he said. Wisdom in a written statement, Tuesday (24/8/2021).
Hakmat admits that he is worried about his family, especially since the Taliban has now occupied the government. Hakmat said that the demonstration was held to urge UNHCR and other countries will clarify their fate.
“We are powerless and have no other solution than to raise our voices and tell the world about the problems and concerns we have for our families, people and country,” he said.
2. The crowd and the police push each other
Chaos had occurred when the masses held a demonstration. The crowd and the police were involved in pushing each other.
The police repeatedly warned the asylum seekers to disperse immediately. The police even mobilized a number of officers in PPE to carry out swabs, but the crowd did not budge.
The crowd initially refused to disperse. Police later repelling the masses.
“We urge all demonstrators, we urge once again, to all demonstrators, to leave the location now, the situation in Jakarta is still level 3, no crowds are prohibited,” said the officer.
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