IOM Holds Training on Refugee Rights and Protection in Batam
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Barelang Police, held training regarding refugee protection rights and referral mechanisms in Lubuk Baja, Batam, yesterday.
The training was attended by representatives from local government agencies, law enforcement, community organisations, Immigration Detention Centre managers, as well as officials from the local sub-districts and villages in the area.
The event commenced with an interactive session titled “Being in the Position of a Refugee,” specifically designed to allow participants to deeply understand the daily experiences and challenges faced by refugees. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation on the refugee protection framework, referencing both international legal provisions and national legislation.
In addition to basic materials, the training addressed other crucial issues, including the handling of gender-based violence, protection for vulnerable groups, and the prevention and management of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
Providing support for the activity were the Head of the Batam City National Unity and Politics Agency, Riama Manurung; IOM Central Facilitator, Ali Ramli Aulia; and IOM Batam representatives, Khairul and Chris Simamora. Also present were several police officials, including the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Sekupang Police, Ipda Pebriadi, and the Head of Community Policing of the Lubuk Baja Police, Iptu Indra, alongside intelligence personnel from the Barelang Police and related sub-district police units.
Other agencies also participated, including representatives from the Immigration Detention Centre, DP3AP2KB, the Manpower Office, the Population and Civil Registry Office, the UpTD for the Protection of Women and Children, the Embung Pelangi Foundation, the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), and regional officials from the Sekupang and Lubuk Baja sub-districts.
The Chief of the Lubuk Baja Police, Commissioner Deni Langie, acting as the regional supervisor, stated that the primary objective of this training is to increase the capacity and knowledge of participants in identifying and responding to various emerging protection issues. Furthermore, the activity is expected to strengthen inter-agency coordination and encourage the implementation of a rights-based approach in managing the presence of refugees in Batam.
“We hope for an increasingly strong synergy between the government, law enforcement, international organisations, and all other stakeholders. In doing so, optimal protection for refugees can be realised and carried out in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” he said on Sunday (14/6).
In the final session of the training, all participants worked together to map existing protection issues in the field, develop better handling strategies, and design collaborative action plans to build a more integrated and effective protection system in the future.