Academia
As global anti-immigrant sentiment rises, Indonesia’s strict ban on refugee employment is creating a crisis of "constructive refoulement", robbing displaced people of their dignity and forcing an urgent need for legal reform.
Struggle to survive: Newly-arrived Rohingya refugees look on from their boat on Jan. 29, 2025, after authorities prevented the refugees from disembarking and ordered them to remain on board the vessel, at Leuge Beach in Aceh. (AFP/Cek Mad)
Every year on June 20, the world marks World Refugee Day to honor the resilience and bravery of individuals compelled to abandon their homelands due to violence or persecution. It is a moment intended to embody solidarity and a collective goodwill to recognize the rights, needs and aspirations of those forced to flee.In the week leading up to the date, refugee communities and their partners hold commemorations centered on the notion of "getting to know the community". These take the form of art exhibitions, film screenings, collaborative workshops, panel discussions and sports competitions. These vibrant activities showcase that refugee communities, despite facing profound hardship and undergoing harrowing life transitions, remain people brimming with potential, hope and resilience.
