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View all search resultsMedan reaffirms humanitarian support for refugees
Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas emphasized that the city would not allow the kind of protests and forced evictions against refugees that have occurred elsewhere.
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People gather around a boat carrying newly-arrived Rohingya refugees after authorities prevented the refugees from disembarking and ordered them to remain on board the vessel on Jan. 29 at Leuge Beach in East Aceh regency, Aceh. At least 75 Rohingya refugees arrived by boat at a beach in Aceh on Jan. 29, but were stopped by authorities from disembarking, according to local officials. (AFP/Cek Mad)
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mid rising anti-refugee sentiment in various regions across Indonesia, the Medan city administration has reaffirmed its commitment to a humanitarian approach by continuing to allow asylum seekers to temporarily reside in the city while they await resettlement in third countries.
Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas emphasized that the city would not allow the kind of protests and forced evictions against refugees that have occurred elsewhere.
"In principle, we are open to accepting refugees on humanitarian grounds. For the Medan City Government, the refugee issue is not merely an administrative matter, it also involves humanitarian values and the preservation of social harmony in our multicultural city," Rico said during a meeting on Monday with representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
"I believe that with a humanistic approach and strong coordination among institutions, the presence of refugees of refugees and asylum seekers will not become a social burden in Medan. On the contrary, it will highlight Medan’s identity as a tolerant, open and compassionate city," he added.
He called on the public to treat asylum seekers residing in Medan with dignity and respect, while urging the UNHCR and IOM to maintain close coordination with local government agencies to ensure effective and humane management.
Read also: Refugees in limbo after eviction notice from Jakarta administration
However, Mayor Rico also reminded the asylum seekers currently staying in Medan to respect local norms and contribute to public order.
