Foreign Nationals Resume 'Camping' on UNHCR Pavement in South Jakarta Despite Previous Clearance

A number of foreign nationals have resumed ‘camping’ on the pavement outside the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), despite the location having been cleared by a joint task force previously. Those claiming to be refugees erected emergency tents behind the UNHCR office on Jalan Setiabudi Selatan, Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta. Their presence has drawn attention because the site has been cleared by authorities several times before for disturbing public order. ‘We previously carried out a clearance, but they returned and many residents have complained about their activities because they disrupt public order,’ said Setiabudi Sub-district Deputy Head Rizky Noviana Purnama, as reported by Antara on Thursday (2/7). Rizky said his office is focusing on enforcing public order, maintaining environmental cleanliness, and restoring the pavement’s function as a pedestrian facility. Data collection is also being conducted as an effort to find a solution that can accommodate the refugees’ aspirations. ‘We want this problem to be resolved quickly and not drag on so that public comfort and safety are maintained,’ he said. UNHCR Field Security Associate for Security and Safety Handling, Linda, appreciated the South Jakarta City Government’s efforts in clearing the refugees. According to her, refugees have human rights protected by international law, but they are still obliged to comply with all regulations in force in Indonesia. ‘Regardless of their nationality, if a violation of the law occurs, Indonesian security authorities have the right to take firm action,’ she said. Linda added that her office is still trying to find a suitable relocation site for the 32 refugees. Meanwhile, the refugees will be given guidance on the obligation to obey the rules and asked to sign a statement letter together with the immigration office. ‘If violations occur again, firm action will be taken. We hope they understand their obligation to obey the law while in Indonesia,’ she said. Meanwhile, Head of the Registration, Administration, and Reporting Section of the Jakarta Immigration Detention House, Ruth Caroline, proposed that all parties immediately determine a representative location for carrying out administrative and mediation processes, so that the refugees no longer pitch tents on the pavement. ‘We request the support of the sub-district to determine an appropriate location for carrying out various administrative and mediation processes for the refugees,’ she said. She stated that the provisions regarding refugee handling in Presidential Regulation Number 125 of 2016 are currently undergoing a judicial review process under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs. ‘The review is being carried out so that the regulation is clearer, ensuring that all actions in the field are truly in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations,’ she said. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung spoke out regarding the reappearance of foreign nationals camping at the UNHCR office. Pramono stressed that handling refugees is not his administration’s authority, but rather that of the central government. ‘Firstly, refugees are the domain of the central government,’ Pramono said in the Senayan area, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (4/7/2026). He asserted that if asylum seekers use public facilities in a way that disturbs residents’ comfort, the Jakarta Provincial Government will not hesitate to carry out a clearance. ‘But if they then use the facilities of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government improperly, I will not hesitate to clear it. We will clear it immediately,’ Pramono continued.