Dozens of refugees, of both genders and different age groups, crammed the street brandishing placards that bore the words “I am a refugee, I am a human too.”
Eventually, some officers of the UNHCR, accompanied by an interpreter, turned up and requested them to select a representative for communication and correspondence while calling on the rest to vacate the building premises at the earliest.
However, the refugees declined to send a representative and instead insisted that the officers come and meet them, as they were keen to demand their rights as refugees, who had been living in Indonesia for years.
“I understand your demand, but you must remember that we have our own procedure. This is not only for you but also for all refugees. Also remember that when you visit someone’s house, there are rules to obey,” the UNHCR representative, who approached them, stated.
Head of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Prasetio Edi Marsuadi had earlier stated that those hundreds of refugees will be relocated.
The relocation plan was delivered during his survey of the place where 241 refugees were temporarily accommodated in the Kebon Sirih area, Jakarta.
Translator: Prisca Violleta, Azizah Fitriy
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
