At the meeting that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday (December 11), she highlighted the challenges that Indonesia is facing with the influx of Rohingya refugees.
"And I conveyed, there is a strong suspicion of problems of human smuggling and trafficking," the minister remarked while delivering an online press statement on Wednesday.
Marsudi stated that during the one-on-one conversation, which took place quite openly, Grandi understood the challenges that Indonesia is facing.
He promised that the UNHCR would do its best to help resolve the problem, among other things, by providing assistance to support the lives of refugees.
"I also conveyed to the UNHCR to continue to urge countries parties to the Refugee Convention to immediately start accepting resettlement, so that the burden does not shift to other countries, such as Indonesia," the minister remarked.
Related news: Countries in UN Refugee Convention should resolve Rohingya issue: RI
There has been an increase in the number of Rohingya refugees who landed in Indonesia. The UNHCR stated that more than 1,200 Rohingya people have landed in Indonesia since November 2023, with at least 300 people arriving in Indonesia's westernmost province, Aceh, last week.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) last week stated that a human trafficking network is suspected to be behind the increase in the number of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia.
Despite not being a party to the United Nations' 1951 Refugee Convention, Indonesia is temporarily accommodating Rohingya refugees who have entered the Indonesian territory for humanitarian reasons.
President Jokowi directed the temporary humanitarian assistance to the refugees to be given by still prioritizing the interests of the local community.
Related news: Indonesia gives temporary stay to Rohingya refugees: Jokowi
Related news: About 315 Rohingya land in Aceh, marking 9th wave since November
Translator: Yashinta Difa, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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